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England · district councils · 2024-25

Cheltenham Council budget and spending

Cheltenham Council had net current service expenditure of £18.2m in 2024-25, about £150 for each of its 121,452 residents. By total budget it is 90th highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£18.2m
Spend per resident
£150
107th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
121,452
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
90th
of 164 district councils

This is the council budget only (net current service expenditure). NHS, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest are not included. In two-tier counties, education and social care sit with the county, not the district.

Where Cheltenham Council spends its money

Cheltenham Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Central and other£9.6m

    52.5% of the budget

  • Environment£5.2m

    28.4% of the budget

  • Culture£4.3m

    23.5% of the budget

  • Housing£1.1m

    5.8% of the budget

  • Planning£958,000

    5.3% of the budget

District councils run bins, planning, housing and leisure. Social care and education sit with the county council, so district budgets are far smaller and are only compared with other districts.

Benefits spending in Cheltenham

Across six benefits, £174.8m was paid out in Cheltenham in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,440 per resident. That is 251st highest of 315 areas per person and 258th by total pounds, and 32.8% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Cheltenham by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£105.8m
  • Personal Independence Payment£38.5m
  • Housing Benefit£16.4m
  • Disability Living Allowance£10.8m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£7.1m
  • Carer's Allowance£4.7m

Covers six benefits only: Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA. Excludes the State Pension, the largest welfare line. Compiled by the TaxPayers' Alliance from DWP Stat-Xplore, not a DWP borough publication. England and Wales, £133.1 billion in the 12 months to March 2026. Do not add this to the council budget: Housing Benefit is in both.

Councils with similar spend per resident

Cheltenham Council: common questions

How much does Cheltenham Council spend?

Cheltenham Council had net current service expenditure of £18.2m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Cheltenham Council spend per resident?

About £150 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £18.2m and an ONS population estimate of 121,452. That is 107th highest of 164 district councils.

What does Cheltenham Council spend most on?

Central and other is the largest service line at £9.6m, 52.5% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Cheltenham?

£174.8m was paid out in the 12 months to March 2026 on six benefits (Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA), about £1,440 per resident. That ranks 251st of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.