All but two public organisations have proposed increasing their portion of the Council Tax for village residents in the upcoming financial year. If all the amounts are approved, it means households with an average Band D property in H&I will have to pay nearly £2,550 in 2025/26.
The overall Council Tax total could be over £100 more than this year’s – and residents faced a similar increase last year too.
The current breakdown as it stands for 2025/26 is:-
- Cambridgeshire County Council: £1,785.42 (Approved – 4.99% increase)
- South Cambridgeshire District Council: £180.64 (Proposed – 2.99% increase)
- Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner: £314.37 (Approved – 4.99% increase)
- Cambridgeshire Fire Authority: £92.16 (Proposed – 5.68% increase)
- Mayoral Combined Authority: £36 (Approved – freeze)
- Parish Council Precept: £133.32 (Approved – freeze)
South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) will make a final decision on its proposed increase later this month while Cambridgeshire Fire Authority meets today (Thursday).
County Council increase
Cambridgeshire County Council will increase its proportion of the Council Tax payment by 4.99% – the maximum possible without a referendum being called. This includes its contribution towards Adult Social Care services.
The County Council’s leader Lucy Nethsingha says it is facing “enormous” financial pressure in the areas of social care and special educational needs which are “by far” the largest part of the budget.
The majority of Councillors backed the almost £1.3 billion business plan and budget on Tuesday (10 February). “Record levels” of spending in highways maintenance were also approved, with an additional £20 million on top of Government funding. An additional £14.7 million will go towards adult social care providers.
The Council also announced more school places, investment in library services and upgraded facilities at Milton Recycling Centre.
Cllr Nethsingha explained “a responsible and prudent approach” has been taken to “invest in the vital services residents rely on most”. She admitted it had been “the most difficult budget to balance” in her time as leader.
She said: “This is our battle plan for a bolder, brighter and more resilient Cambridgeshire during challenging times, and it is just the start…
“… We will continue to challenge Government to recognise they are short-changing the communities of Cambridgeshire and to provide the right level of funding for services that our residents deserve.”
4.99% increase for police
Darryl Preston, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s Police and Crime Commissioner, also argues the funds policing services receive from Central Government are inadequate because an “outdated funding model” is used in the calculations.
The population of Cambridgeshire is also one of the fastest growing in the country.
While the Government’s recently released Police Reform White Paper includes a commitment to review the way in which police funding is allocated, he says the current approach puts Cambridgeshire at a “distinct disadvantage to its peers”.
Mr Preston said he “had no choice” but to increase the precept for policing.
He said: “Locally, our population has risen by a further 16% since this formula was developed and is predicted to overtake the national average by some margin. I am glad the Government is finally listening to my calls for a review – this is good news for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough residents.
“Sadly, without increasing the precept this year, we could not maintain the current record officer numbers, nor sustain the strong and visible policing presence that is so important to our communities and vital for improving feelings of safety.”
Maintaining services
SCDC is proposing an increase of just under 3% to its portion of the Council Tax to “keep the services people rely on running smoothly”. It means households with the average Band D home will have to pay £5.24 more next year.
It plans to expand funding available for the voluntary and community sector, has allocated £50,000 specifically for services that help prevent and relieve homelessness and will continue to support mobile warden schemes for older and disabled residents.
Both the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and H&I Parish Council have decided to freeze their amounts for the upcoming financial year. However, the Combined Authority tripled its portion two years ago.
Bus fares increase
Meanwhile, Stagecoach has announced bus fares for Cambridge’s Park & Rides will increase later this month from 22 February. An adult return – including up to 18 hours free parking – will increase by 50p to £4.50. A child return will remain at £1. Four children under five years old can travel for free.
Small Group DayRider tickets for three passengers travelling together will be £9 and Large Group DayRider’s for five will be £13.
Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East, said Park & Ride passengers can still “travel into the city for less than the price of a high-street coffee”.
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