Shropshire Council has confirmed an 8.99 per cent increase in council tax for the 2026/27 financial year following a meeting on 26 February 2026. Households in the Shropshire Council area—including those in rural parts of Telford under the authority’s jurisdiction—are being encouraged to check for financial help after the rise was approved to help close a major funding gap. This increase was made possible after the central government gave the local authority special permission to go above the usual 4.99 per cent limit.
For a typical Band D property, the new rate means paying an extra £16.24 a month for those on the standard 10-month payment cycle. According to the council, the decision follows an agreement for special financial support from the government. To help balance the books, the authority has also officially cancelled the North West Relief Road project because it is no longer affordable.
To help residents manage the higher costs, the council is offering several ways to reduce the impact on monthly budgets. People can now choose to spread their tax payments over 12 months instead of the usual 10 months to make each individual payment smaller. A new Crisis Resilience Fund will also launch on 1 April 2026 to help residents who are struggling with food, broadband, or energy bills.
Council Leader Heather Kidd described the tax increase as a last resort to keep essential local services running. She urged anyone worried about their bills to visit the council support portal to see if they qualify for discounts or hardship grants. The authority has stated it is committed to making sure no resident is left without help during this time.
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