COUNCIL tax is set to rise by 3.4 per cent - much lower than the maximum amount allowed by the government - as town hall bosses admit they’ve made ‘difficult’ decisions to create a balanced budget for the upcoming year.
At next Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, councillors will discuss the medium-term financial strategy which sets out a ‘balanced budget’ for the upcoming year.
It’s anticipated that a 3.4 per cent council tax increase will be approved - lower than last year’s 4.9 per cent rise - at a full council meeting on February 26.
The rise is in line with inflation, and bosses have opted to not increase council tax by the maximum of five per cent - unlike other councils across the country.
Money raised through council tax is used to fund day-to-day services such as adult and children’s social care, rubbish collection, road maintenance, street lighting, and library services.
It’s anticipated that the increase will bring a total of £135m into the council’s coffers.
The report states: “The majority of households in Barnsley are Band A or Band B properties.
“Each one per cent increase in council tax equates to an annual increase of approximately £13 (24p per week) for a Band A property and £15 (28p per week) for a Band B property.
“However, it should be noted that the final overall council tax increase for properties in the borough will depend on the precepts levied by the police and fire authorities.
“These amounts are currently being finalised by the respective authorities.
“It should also be noted that properties situated within a parish council area will have an additional precept levied.
“This information is still being collected, and will be reflected in the final council tax resolution.
“There were no restrictions or referendum limits imposed on parish or town councils in 2026/27.
“Any additional charges will be set out in the council tax resolution paper which will be presented to members at the budget meeting at Full Council on February 26.”
Sir Steve Houghton, leader of the council, said the lower increase will help ‘ease ongoing cost of living pressures’, while also ensuring that vital local services remain running.
He said: “We’ve worked incredibly hard to deliver a proposed balanced budget for 2026/27.
“I’m really pleased that we’ve managed to keep council tax as low as possible.
“It’s always a difficult decision, but by keeping increases below the maximum at 3.4 per cent, we’re doing what we can to support household budgets.”( * More information on the council’s budget can be found on page nine.
