Leeds council tax to rise by maximum 4.99%, budget confirms
The increase aims to support essential services and adult social care
Leeds City Council has announced plans for a 4.99% council tax increase in its final budget for next financial year.
The rise, the maximum allowed under current legislation, includes a 2% precept dedicated to adult social care costs.
For a band D property, this will mean an annual increase of £90.61 or £1.74 extra per week.
Council tax in Leeds remains the second lowest of the English core cities and similarly second lowest across West Yorkshire districts.
Leeds City Council says its budget for 2026/27 will prioritise improving services that residents depend on, with key investments including:
- Allocating £54.6m to care services for people of all ages
- Funding of £12.4m to respond to increased demand for temporary accommodation
- £8m to maintain waste services, including free recycling and green garden waste collection, as well as introducing a food waste collection trial in brown bins
- £13m annually into highway maintenance, though a backlog worth approximately £300m remains.
Commenting on the budget plans, which are expected to be approved at the end of the month, Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor James Lewis said:
“Having certainty over our financial position for the next three years makes a big difference to planning how best to make use of our resources to support people in Leeds."
“We are very pleased to have not only significant additional funding for a second year but also the stability around knowing our financial position for the next three years, which makes a big difference to planning how best to make use of our available resources to support people in Leeds and make their lives better and easier."
“We are committed to doing everything we can to help our most vulnerable residents, but also on improving and delivering the everyday services people expect and rely on such as free bin collections, supporting recycling, tackling potholes and combatting flytipping."
67% of the council’s net budget is currently focused on providing for children, families, adult health, and social care.
The council plans a small number of staff redundancies, with a consultation ongoing.
From April 1, the council will begin paying the increased Real Living Wage of £13.45 per hour to support lower-paid workers.
The final budget plans will be debated at a full council meeting on February 25.