Residents in Warrington, Cheshire, are receiving their new council tax bills this March 2026 as the local authority prepares for the upcoming financial year starting 1 April 2026. Warrington Borough Council approved a 7.48 per cent increase to help manage a budget gap of nearly £179 million and debts totalling approximately £1.4 billion. This is one of the largest council tax increases in England, with the local authority being one of only seven allowed by the government to raise rates by more than 4.99 per cent.
For a typical Band D property, the annual bill will rise by £139.72, moving from £1,867.79 to £2,007.51. This total amount includes charges for the Cheshire Police and the Cheshire Fire Authority. The increase includes a 2 per cent charge specifically to pay for adult social care services across the borough.
To balance the books, the council is also planning to save £40 million over the next four years. This comes as the authority is set to receive more than £92 million in exceptional financial support from the government for the 2026/27 year. The additional funding raised from the 2.5 per cent increase above the standard cap is expected to bring in more than £3.4 million for local services.
Residents can now view their account online to see their updated payment amounts and manage their bills. Through the digital portal, households can also set up direct debit payments at any time. More information about how the money is spent is available on the Understanding Your Bill page.
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