Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S. Baxter.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 18^th February 2026 were submitted for Members’ consideration.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 18^th February 2026 be approved as a true and accurate record.

The Assistant Director of Finance & Customer Services presented the Council Tax Resolutions 2026/27 for Members’ consideration.

The report provided an overview of the requirements, context, and key figures relating to the Council Tax Resolution for the 2026/27 financial year, including the council tax base, precept impacts, and known external factors influencing the overall bill.

Also included was the formal calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2026/27, which must be approved annually in accordance with statutory regulations.

Members were informed that the calculated tax base for the whole District for 2026/27 was 38,409.8 Band D equivalent properties. This figure was based on data as of 30^th November 2025, and adjusted for dwelling changes, discounts, exemptions, and a 1 per cent non-collection allowance. This tax base formed the foundation for setting the District Council’s own Council Tax requirement.

For 2025/26, the District Council’s Band D charge was £257.48, with a budget strategy focused on service resilience and maintaining increases below inflation. The District Council element for 2026/27 would increase by 2.99 per cent, taking Band D to £265.18.

It was noted that the Council continued to operate within significant national financial pressures and was maintaining a focus on protecting frontline services and financial stability.

The overall Council Tax bill included several external precepts as follows:

• The Worcestershire County Council (WCC) 2026/27 budget included an 8.98 per cent increase, taking the charge to £1,760.80 for a Band D bill.
• West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner precept for 2026/27 was set to rise by 5.15 per cent, increasing the Band D charge to £306.50.
• Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service precept for 2026/27 figure was set to rise by 4.89 per cent; increasing the Band D charge to £107.22.
• Parish Councils were setting their 2026/27 precepts separately, with an average rise of 8.77 per cent.

The Council remained committed to financial stability, recognising the tax base calculation as a core part of the Medium-Term Financial Plan.

There were several national factors which impacted on the Council Tax setting process this year including WCC financial pressures, wider public sector pay decisions, and inflationary service costs. These continued to shape the environment in which the District must set its own Council Tax requirement.

It was noted that if the Council Tax Resolutions were agreed at the Council meeting directly after this meeting, the Council Tax bills would be issued to residents accordingly.

Following the presentation, it was reported that a support mechanism would be put in place in order to help residents who might be impacted with the Council Tax increase. It was hoped that support would be provided at an early stage. The Benefits Team were aware that this approach would be taken. In addition to this, the Council operated a Council Tax Support Fund which also provided support to residents who qualified for this scheme.

Members welcomed this approach in order to provide appropriate support to those vulnerable residents within the District who required additional assistance.

RESOLVED to NOTE that at its meeting on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85/25

There was no Urgent Business on this occasion.