Group Facilitators Feedback Form WNC Draft Budget 2025 to 2026 Consultation
Proposed increase to Council Tax
Key to helping the Council protect essential services whilst balancing the books in its fifth year as a unitary authority is the income it receives from Council Tax.
The Council is proposing to increase the amount of Council Tax by a total of 4.99 per cent (2.99 per cent general increase plus 2 per cent for adult social care), in line with the limit set by Government, which allows for this increase without triggering a referendum.
The proposed Council Tax rise will bring in about £19 million more income for the year. This money will help protect existing services. Without this increase, more services would need to be cut to balance the budget than what is currently suggested in the draft budget.
Example: Breakdown of cost for a Band D property
As an example, the Council Tax for a Band D property in this year is £1,778.25 for West Northamptonshire Council services.
This will rise by 4.99 per cent to £1,866.98 in 2025 to 2026 for all of the Council services for the whole year, which is an increase of £88.73 per year or £1.71 per week. With the increase, the breakdown cost per week would be £35.90.
What does this look like for other Bands?
Band | Current financial year (2024-25) | Financial year 2025-26 | Increase | Amount per week breakdown |
---|---|---|---|---|
A | £1185.50 | £1244.66 | £59.16 | £23.94 |
B | £1383.08 | £1452.10 | £69.02 | £27.92 |
C | £1580.67 | £1659.54 | £78.88 | £31.91 |
D | £1778.25 | £1866.98 | £88.73 | £35.90 |
E | £2173.42 | £2281.87 | £108.45 | £43.88 |
F | £2568.58 | £2696.76 | £128.17 | £51.86 |
G | £2963.75 | £3111.64 | £147.89 | £59.84 |
H | £3556.50 | £3733.97 | £177.47 | £71.81 |
Excludes parish precepts, Fire and Police