Seven local authorities will be allowed to increase their council tax above the usual 5% cap, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced.
Most councils will continue to be protected by the standard council tax limit — a 3% rise plus up to a 2% adult social care precept — but Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole can increase council tax by 1.75% above the cap, while Warrington, Trafford, and Windsor and Maidenhead have been allowed rises of up to 2.5% and Worcestershire, Shropshire and North Somerset have been permitted increases of up to 4%.
Announcing the move as part of the local government finance settlement for 2026-27, the Government said the rises are generally lower than the amounts councils requested and resident bills in these areas won’t exceed the national average.
