Council tax hike set to fill funding 'black hole'

Plans to increase council taxes by up to 4.99% in Surrey are being recommended by the local authority.

Surrey County Council (SCC) said the increase would help to "balance" a highly "challenging" 2026/27 budget, which resulted from a "drastic" decrease in government funding.

"The removal of funding from government means that within three years, 92% of local government budget in Surrey will have to come from council tax," a spokesperson for SCC said.

"Even putting council tax up by the maximum amount each year will see no real increase in spending power for Surrey councils."

They added their focus was protecting services including adult social care, children's services and road maintenance.

"As costs rise with inflation and demand for services increases, there will be a local government funding black hole in Surrey without driving out further efficiencies," SCC said.

"We are proposing a balanced budget for 2026/27 and remain on track to finish this year in balance as well."

SCC said the final budget is due to be discussed at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

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