Council plans to raise tax by more than 5%

Worcestershire County Council is planning to raise council tax by more than 5% as it faces financial pressures.

The authority currently has a £43.6m funding gap for the next financial year and said keeping council tax "as low as possible" was "no longer a sustainable policy" due to adults and children's social care pressures.

In October, residents across the county were asked for their views on a potential tax hike of up to 10% as the council consulted on the 2026-27 budget.

The council's cabinet member for finance, Rob Wharton, previously said the authority was "not actively considering" a 10% council tax hike.

Cabinet papers show that the council will also ask the government for exceptional financial support for a second year running, with a government decision expected by 20 February.

Last year, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government awarded 30 councils exceptional financial support, almost 10% of principal local authorities in England.

The government also gave six councils permission to increase council tax above 5%, setting limits of between 7.5% and 10%.

Support worth £33.6m will be needed to help Worcestershire County Council break even in the 2025-26 financial year, according to the cabinet.

It said savings across the authority and a reduction in borrowing had helped offset an £11.7m overspend across council services.

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