Charnwood Local Budget

Councillors will consider a proposal to increase the Charnwood element of council tax by less than the maximum amount at a meeting next week.

Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet will consider increasing the borough’s share of council tax – a relatively small part of the overall bill – by 2.5% for the average Band D property. This represents an increase of £3.74 for the whole year. Councils can increase by 2.99% or £5.

Under the proposal, the Charnwood element for a Band D property would rise to £153.17 for the year. The majority of council tax goes to Leicestershire County Council, as well as to the police and fire services.

The Council’s lead member for finance, Cllr Ian Ashcroft, said: “We have looked carefully at the budget for 2026/27 and listened to residents’ concerns about the cost of living. We are therefore proposing an increase that keeps our finances robust, allows us to deliver services, and minimises the impact on residents.”

Cabinet will consider the draft budget on Wednesday, 11 February 2026.

The report proposes setting the

• Charnwood element of council tax at £153.17 for a Band D property for the year, an increase of 2.5% (£3.74)
• Loughborough Special Levy at £86.05 for the year, an increase of 1.99% (£1.68). The levy is paid by Loughborough residents and is the equivalent of a parish precept in areas with a town or parish council

If approved by Cabinet, full council will consider the budget, including the proposed increases, at a meeting on 23 February 2026.