Bournemouth, Christchurch, Political, Poole | Posted on February 13th, 2026 | return to news
Bournemouth Council Tax set to rise by nearly seven per cent
The government has given BCP Council permission to raise Council Tax above the approved 4.99 per cent.
Residents in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole are likely to see a significant rise in their Council Tax bills, as the government has given BCP Council permission to raise the rate by 6.74 per cent, above the approved level of 4.99 per cent.
For a Band D property, this 6.74 per cent rise for 2026–27 will cost an extra £10.42 per month.
The Liberal Democrat-led council had been seeking to raise Council Tax by an unprecedented 7.4 per cent.
BCP Council welcomed the government announcement and estimates this rise will provide just under £5million to support essential services.
The government also announced that it could contribute 90 per cent (£165.2m) towards the council’s historic deficit for funding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, subject to an approved SEND local reform plan, but has yet to confirm when BCP Council will receive this support.
Cllr Mike Cox, BCP Council Portfolio Holder for Finance, said: “To receive this support we must provide a local SEND reform plan, and we haven’t yet been given the detail behind this.
“Even if we were successful in getting the full 90 per cent of the debt written off, our initial calculations show that would leave us with at least £38m debt remaining on 31 March 2028 for service that is the government’s responsibility.
“We also welcome the news on Council Tax flexibility as it means we can continue to protect our most vulnerable adults, children and families while keeping our streets safe and clean, and our Council Tax bill still remains below the national average.
“While at face value this is good news, we must recognise that this simply closes a budget gap we were filling with reserves. Our finances remain tight and pressures on our frontline services continue. Our SEND deficit will continue to grow unless the whole system is reformed.
BCP Council’s previous plans to raise Council Tax by 7.4 per cent was labelled as “madness” by Reform UK councillors, Cllr Duane Farr and Cllr Cameron Adams.
The council will consider the government’s announcements as part of the budget proposals at Cabinet and Full Council meetings.
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