By Local Democracy Reporter John Wimperis: Councillors in Bath and North East Somerset are being asked to approve a 4.99% council tax rise.
The council ’s cabinet gave its backing to the tax rise proposal as part of its 2026/27 budget plans on February 12. It will now go before the full council for approval on February 24.
Cabinet member for resources Mark Elliott (Lansdown, Liberal Democrats) said the council had faced a cut in government funding at the same time as mounting pressure in social care. He told the cabinet meeting: “I’m proud to present to cabinet a balanced budget proposal that despite £12.5m of funding cuts over the next three years protects frontline services and invests in things that matter to the residents of Bath and North East Somerset.”
4.99% is the maximum that councils can raise their tax without government permission or holding a referendum. The rise, which would apply to the Bath and North East Somerset Council section of council tax bill from April, will be another £90.97 a year for an average band D household, or £1.75 a week.
Mr Elliott said: “Residents of Bath and North East Somerset have the third lowest council tax of all south west unitary authorities and, once North Somerset raise theirs by 9%, we will be the second lowest of all south west unitary authorities. And yet this budget is not having to make the kinds of service cuts that other authorities are having to.”
Mr Elliott said that most local authorities responsible for social care would be increasing their council tax by 4.99%. He added: “The proposed rise in council tax will raise roughly £6.5m, only slightly less than the net increase in social services spending. So the council tax rise basically just covers the pressure on social care.”
The council is now planning to increase its prevention work, which it says will be better for people as well as saving money. A £500k project will give foster parents grants for home alterations so they can house more children and keep them out of children homes, while £35k will go on work to prevent harm before it happens, including work with those at risk of perpetrating domestic abuse. Cabinet member for communications and community Manda Rigby (Bathwick, Liberal Democrat) said: “Prevention is the most effective and cost-efficient way to reduce long term demand on our services.”
The government’s “fair funding review” has seen Bath and North East Somerset Council’s government funding cut by £2.42m for 2026/27, increasing to £12.5m over three years. Mr Elliott said: “Government takes central funding away and then expects councils to make up the difference with council tax.”
The full council will meet in Bath ’s Guildhall at 6.30pm on February 24 to vote on the council tax rise and its budget for 2026/27.
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
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