Issue

council tax

41 stories · discussed at 14 council meetings · 23 councils

Councils are grappling with significant budget shortfalls, leading to discussions and approvals of council tax increases.

Councils are currently grappling with significant budget shortfalls, leading to discussions and decisions regarding council tax. Sutton Council faces a £36.5 million budget gap over three years, as reported in October 2026. Lambeth Council projected a £9.3 million overspend for the first quarter of 2026/27 in September 2026, while Barnet Council forecast a £2.6 million Q1 overspend for the same period. These pressures, often driven by rising demand in social care and temporary accommodation, have prompted councils like Wandsworth to consider council tax increases, as discussed in July 2026.

Following these financial pressures, several councils approved council tax increases earlier in 2026. Waltham Forest Council approved a 4.99% increase in May 2026, including an Adult Social Care Precept. Haringey Council, Croydon Council, Southwark Council, and Enfield Council also approved similar increases in March 2026. Looking ahead, Croydon Council's Cabinet agreed in September 2026 to consult on potential changes to its Council Tax Support Scheme for working-age residents, indicating ongoing review of how the local government tax is applied.

Council tax, a local government tax based on residential property value used to fund local services, is being discussed as councils face escalating costs. Many councils, including Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Bexley, have reported projected budget deficits extending to 2030 and beyond, citing government funding reforms, inflation, and social care demands as key drivers.

Key facts

  1. Sutton Council faces a projected budget gap of £36.5 million over the next three years. Source
  2. Lambeth Council projects a £9.3 million overspend for the first quarter of 2026/27. Source
  3. Barnet Council forecasts a £2.621 million overspend for Q1 of the 2026-27 financial year. Source
  4. Hounslow Council formally adopted its One Hounslow Financial Strategy 2026-2030 in September 2026. Source
  5. Waltham Forest Council approved a 4.99% increase in council tax in May 2026. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 7 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 3

  1. GLA precept increase adds £20 to Croydon Council Tax Croydon residents will face an average council tax increase of £119.43 for the 2026-27 financial year, following a decision by the Council Tax Setting Committee. The rise... Croydon 4 March 2026
  2. Hammersmith and Fulham Council Approves Budget with Council Tax Rise Hammersmith and Fulham Council has approved its budget for the upcoming financial year, which includes a rise in Council Tax. The decision was made during a Full Council meeting... Hammersmith and Fulham 1 March 2026
  3. Southwark Council Approves 4.99% Council Tax Hike Amidst Budget Deficit Southwark Council has approved a 4.99% increase in council tax for the upcoming financial year, a decision made during a Council Assembly meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Southwark 1 March 2026
  4. Enfield Council Approves £438.97m Budget, Imposing 4.79% Council Tax Hike Enfield Council has approved a £438.969 million budget for the upcoming financial year, which includes a council tax increase of 4.79% for Band D properties. Enfield 1 March 2026
  5. Lambeth Council Proposes 4.99% Council Tax Increase Amid Financial Pressures Lambeth Council is set to increase Council Tax by 4.99% for the upcoming financial year, with a 2.99% rise in general Council Tax and a further 2.00% increase for the Adult... Lambeth 1 March 2026
  6. Bexley Council faces £1.76m budget overspend Bexley Council is facing a projected budget overspend of £1.76 million for the 2025/26 financial year, according to a report presented to the Public Cabinet meeting on Monday,... Bexley 25 February 2026
  7. Harrow Council Approves 2.99% Council Tax Rise and 2% Adult Social Care Precept for 2026/27 Harrow Council has approved a 2.99% increase in council tax for the 2026/27 financial year, alongside a further 2% rise specifically for the Adult Social Care Precept. This... Harrow 23 February 2026
  8. Hammersmith and Fulham Council Tax Base Rises Due to Property Growth and Improved Collections Hammersmith and Fulham Council anticipates a significant rise in its Council Tax base for the 2026/27 financial year, projecting an increase of 3,422 Band D equivalent... Hammersmith and Fulham 30 January 2026