Wakefield council tax bills to rise by 4.99%

Council tax bills in Wakefield will rise by 4.99% after the council approved its budget plans for the next financial year.

The proposals included the creation of a £4.3m fund to help residents pay for school uniforms, childcare and winter fuel costs.

People would also see new investment in roads, parks and play areas across the district, a council spokesperson said.

Councillor Denise Jeffery, leader of Wakefield Council, said: "This budget invests in what matters most to our residents."

The 2026/27 budget was approved at a full council meeting on Monday, with the authority saying the rise would keep council tax bills in the city the lowest in West Yorkshire.

The 4.99% increase, the maximum allowed without a referendum, is expected to raise £9.7m and would add an extra £1.72 per week for Band D households and £1.15 for Band A homes, the council said.

A new £4.3m District Investment Fund has been created using profits released after the closure of Bridge Homes, the council's former affordable housing joint venture with Vico Homes.

The fund includes £2m to help families with the cost of school uniforms and £100,000 to support 16 to 18-year-olds to access training and education.

A £100 one-off winter fuel payment is to be offered to pension-aged residents who receive council tax support.

A further £40,000 would be used to respond to shortages in accessible childcare, while £620,000 will provide free Aspire Ignite leisure memberships for 16 to 24-year-olds.

The council said £200,000 would be set aside to fund police staff and two enforcement officers to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

The budget also set out plans for £6m of capital investment over the next three years to improve roads across the district, with £4m allocated to improvement works at parks and play areas.

The council said it would balance its books through £11.5m of savings from modernising how services operate, alongside £11.9m of additional income, including the council tax rise.

Jeffery said the plans would protect essential front-line services while supporting vulnerable residents and young people.

"This budget is about investing in what matters most to our residents. Including maintaining our roads and emptying our bins," she said.

"Improving our parks, green spaces and high streets. Caring for our most vulnerable residents. And giving young people the best possible start in life."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.