Barking and Dagenham Council has approved a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, a move that will see an annual rise of £80.23 for households in Band D properties.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Assembly on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, where councillors debated and ultimately approved the budget framework for 2026-27 and the medium-term financial strategy.
The tax hike includes a 2% adult social care precept, intended to address rising costs and demand in this vital service area. The approved budget framework also incorporates £8.7 million in savings, with £1.8 million generated from invest-to-save proposals, alongside £32.8 million in growth funding to address unavoidable pressures.
Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council, presented the budget, highlighting the challenging financial climate local government continues to face. He stated that the proposed increase was necessary to balance the budget and protect frontline services.
Agreeing our budget is one of the most important decisions we will take each year as councillors,
Councillor Twomey said. It determines not only how we will balance the books, but also how we protect our residents, sustain our services and invest in the future of this borough.
The medium-term financial strategy to 2030-31 was also approved, with projections indicating a significant financial gap emerging in years four and five if no further action is taken. The Council's Chief Financial Officer, Richard Harbord, assured the Assembly that the estimates used for calculations were robust and that the proposed financial reserves were adequate for the risks the Council faces.