Bradford Council to ask government for one off hike in council tax of up to 15%
The local authority claims the move is needed to get its finances back on track
Bradford Council has asked the government for permission to hike council tax by up to 15%, as an emergency measure to balance the books.
It comes as the local authority is expected to make £48.6m worth of savings and cutbacks this financial year, followed by £43.6m next year.
However, it has now emerged a further £50m in savings would need to be made every year from the 2026/27 financial period in order to keep the authority afloat.
Bradford, like many other authorities across the UK, is facing surging demand for children's services and adult social care.
The city has already been given additional financial support through a government scheme, but has now requested permission for a one off hike to council tax of between 9.99% and 14.99% - at least double the 4.99% usually permitted.
The authority says current council tax bills are £145 below the national average for metropolitan districts and the lowest in West Yorkshire.
If a rise of 14.99% is approved it would mean a Band A property paying an extra £170.07 every year, or £3.27 a week.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said:
“Like many other councils, after 14 years of reductions in funding from Central Government we have been left in an unsustainable financial position. We welcome the additional funding from the new Government for next year. It shows they’ve listened and this is a significant step in the right direction but it can’t solve the challenges local government faces overnight
“We are still however facing severe pressures on budgets for all our services, from social care to maintaining our parks and green spaces. We will have to continue to make difficult decisions to ensure a stable financial future.
“We have a clear five-year strategy to address our budget shortfall and achieve financial sustainability. As part of this strategy, we need to find savings or income equivalent to around £40 million next year, and £50 million per year for the following four years.
“We are trying wherever possible to find new ways of working and new funding sources so that we can save money without cutting vital services.
“This decision to request a one-off increase in Council Tax beyond the usual 4.99% has not been taken lightly. We realise that no one wants to see an increase in council tax when other bills are also rising. That’s why, if approved, we’d put in place a fund to support the least well off.
Looking ahead, we are committed to making the changes and savings needed so we can continue to deliver the services our residents rely on in the future at a reasonable cost.”