Following Finance Sub-Committee, the Corporate Policy Committee will consider the proposals on 12 February, before making recommendations to Full Council.
Full Council will make the final decision on the budget – including any Council Tax rise – at its public meeting on 25 February 2026. You can see the committee’s agenda including the budget papers on our website.
Like councils across the country, we face significant financial pressures. Costs and demand for vital care and safeguarding services are rising faster than our funding, and around 70p in every £1 of Council Tax now supports vulnerable children, adults and children with disabilities and complex needs, and older residents.
To ensure all options can be explored, we have asked government for permission to consider an increase of up to 9.99%, though no decision has been made yet. We understand why people are concerned about Council Tax and know many households are under pressure financially. We are listening closely to residents, and feedback from our budget consultation is helping to shape the proposals.