Council tax for residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to rise by 6.74%
Council tax in the BCP Council area will rise by 6.7% from April, taking a Band D bill to £1,980 – up £125.
Council tax for residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will rise by 6.74% from April, after BCP Council approved an increase above the standard referendum threshold.
For the 2026/27 financial year, a Band D household will pay £1,980.46 – an increase of £125.05 on the current bill.
The rise exceeds the usual 4.99% cap that would normally trigger a local referendum. However, the government has granted councils flexibility to add a further 1.75% for social care pressures, meaning no public vote will be required.
BCP Council says the additional 1.75% increase will generate £4.9m, which it intends to ringfence to protect essential services.
Residents will also see changes to parish and town council precepts across the conurbation.
In Christchurch, the town council is proposing a 2.9% rise, increasing the charge from £72.35 to £74.44. This takes the total Band D bill for Christchurch residents to £2,054.90.
Hurn residents face a 4.47% increase in their parish precept to £36.46, taking their overall council tax to £2,016.92.
Highcliffe and Walkford residents will see a 2.74% increase to £33.76, making their total £2,014.22.
In Bournemouth, Holdenhurst and Throop residents will pay 2.53% more on their parish element, bringing the total bill to £2,020.16.
From April 2026, three new town councils will also be established in Bournemouth, Poole and Broadstone. Residents in these areas will see a new precept added to their bills, replacing the current charter trustee arrangements.
In 2025/26, Bournemouth Charter Trustees charged £2.24, while Poole Charter Trustees charged £2.14.
Under the new system, Bournemouth Town Council will charge £29.47, taking the total bill there to £2,009.93.
Poole Town Council will levy £32.56, increasing the total to £2,013.02.
Broadstone residents will pay an additional £60.34 for their new town council, bringing their overall Band D council tax to £2,040.80.
The increases come as councils across the country continue to face rising costs and financial pressures.