Council launches consultation on proposed fees and charges increase
Wednesday, 8 April 2026
Central Bedfordshire Council is consulting on proposed fee increases across services (8 April - 20 May 2026) to address funding pressures and maintain vital local services.
Residents, businesses and service users are being invited to have their say as Central Bedfordshire Council launches a six-week consultation on proposed changes to some of its fees and charges.
The consultation will open on Wednesday, 8 April 2026 and run for six weeks, closing at midnight on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, giving people the opportunity to review the proposals and provide feedback before any final decisions are made.
Like many councils across the country, the authority is facing significant financial pressures. Changes to government funding mean the council expects to receive £17 million less than required for 2026/27, while the cost of delivering services continues to rise.
Although fees and charges are typically increased annually in line with inflation, most recently by 3.8% in April 2026, wider cost pressures have grown at a faster rate. Over the past five years, increases in wages, National Insurance contributions, pensions and service delivery costs have outpaced inflation-linked fee rises.
During this period:
- fees and charges have increased by 25.3%
- the Consumer Price Index has risen by 27.9%
- average wages have increased by 31.9%
To help address the funding gap and to help maintain and support vital local services, the council is proposing a further 6.2% increase to some fees and charges from July 2026.
The proposed changes cover a wide range of council services. Examples include charges related to:
- adult social care services
- highways licences and permits
- planning services
- private hire and Hackney Cab operators and vehicle licences
- animal and other licensing – including gambling and food premises, street trading
- environmental services including pest control
- room hire
Residents are encouraged to review the full list of proposed changes and complete the online survey to share their views.
Councillor John Baker, our Executive Member for Finance, said:
We know that any increase in fees and charges is not something people welcome, and we do not take these decisions lightly. However, the government's funding reduction of £40m against our budget over three years represents a significant risk to the council, and we must ensure that the cost of providing council services is covered or make significant cuts to our budget.
The proposals cover a broad range of services that residents and businesses use, which is why it’s so important that everyone has the opportunity to comment before any decisions are finalised, and I would strongly encourage everyone to take part.
The consultation will close after six weeks, and all responses will be carefully considered before recommendations are brought forward.
To take part and find out more, visit our consultations page or pick up a paper copy at a Central Bedfordshire library.