Your Council Tax helps pay for council services.
The council is acutely aware of the other increasing costs of living that residents will be paying and the decision to increase Council Tax is not something that is taken lightly or without careful consideration. Unfortunately, given the reductions in funding from the government, it is not possible to continue to deliver our core services without asking residents to help pay for them through Council Tax increases.
The draft budget proposes an overall increase in Council Tax for Central Bedfordshire Council of 5%. This is made up of the following:
- 2% will be for adult social care services only (this is called the Adult Social Care Precept)
- 3% will be used to fund other council services.
The Government sets a limit on how much councils can raise Council Tax. This is the maximum the council can raise Council Tax by this year, without having to hold a public referendum.
Band D is the standard band used to show Council Tax changes. Many households will pay more or less than this, depending on their band.
For a Band D property, the proposed increase would be £91.80 a year, or £7.65 a month.
This means a Band D household would pay £1,931.54 next year for Central Bedfordshire Council services.
Details of which Council Tax band your property falls within will be included in your annual bill.
Your Council Tax bill also includes Council Tax that pays for Police, Fire and your local town or parish council services. These organisations set their own Council Tax increases and if they raise their share of Council Tax, your bill will increase further.
Increasing Council Tax by 3% and increasing the Adult Social Care Precept by 2% will generate £14.2 million of additional funding for services.
Residents on low incomes may be entitled to support with their Council Tax. The support residents receive is also under review and may change in 2026/27.