Burnley Council’s executive committee has confirmed plans to recommend a 2% increase in council tax for the 2025/2026 financial year, staying below the maximum 2.99% allowed by the government without requiring a referendum.
Additionally, the council has proposed a freeze on councillors’ allowances for both this year and next, rejecting an 8.5% pay rise recommendation made by the Independent Remuneration Panel.
Council Tax Increase: What It Means for Residents
The 2% council tax rise will affect households differently depending on their property band. Here’s what the new annual charges will look like:
| Property Band | Current Annual Charge | New Annual Charge (2025/2026) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A (Terraced) | £225.22 | £229.72 | +£4.50 |
| Band B (Terraced) | £262.75 | £268.01 | +£5.26 |
| Band D (Semi-Detached) | £337.82 | £344.58 | +£6.76 |
This increase will help fund key priorities such as:
- Enhanced town centre safety
- Environmental enforcement
- Resources to tackle anti-social behaviour
- Maintenance of green spaces
Council Freezes Allowances to Support Residents
At a meeting on Wednesday night, Cllr Margaret Lishman, the council’s finance chief, highlighted how careful financial management helped turn a predicted £98,000 budget overspend into an £11,000 underspend.
Council leader Cllr Anwar emphasized that freezing councillors’ allowances reflects a commitment to helping residents during the cost-of-living crisis:
“By freezing councillors’ allowances, we are leading by example and empathising with people affected by rising costs. As a council, we have listened to our residents.”
County-Wide Council Tax Increases
Burnley Council’s 2% tax rise comes alongside other expected council tax increases across Lancashire, including:
- Lancashire County Council: A 4.99% overall increase, with 2.99% for general services and 2% for adult social care, adding £82.50 to a Band D bill.
- Lancashire Police Precept: The maximum permitted increase of 5.31%.
With these combined increases, Burnley residents can expect higher total council tax bills in the coming financial year.
Burnley Council’s 2% council tax increase aims to balance financial stability while maintaining essential services. The decision to freeze councillors’ allowances reflects a commitment to responsible governance. However, with additional increases from Lancashire County Council and police funding, many residents will still see a significant rise in their overall council tax bills.
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