NALC analysis finds parish and town council investment in communities approaches £1 billion

We have published our annual analysis of council tax levels for precepting authorities, revealing the growing financial contribution parish and town councils are making to communities across England.

The latest figures show that parish and town councils will raise £942 million through precepts in 2026/27, an increase of £83 million (9.7%), compared with the previous year. The analysis, based on data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), provides an up-to-date picture of local precepts and the expanding role of England's most local tier of government.

Key findings include:

• The total amount raised by precepting parish and town councils is now £942 million, an increase of £83 million or 9.7% on the 2025/26 figure of £859 million. 
• The average Band D precept charged by local precepting bodies (including parish and town councils that raise a precept) is £99.79, an increase of £7.59 or 8.2% on the 2025/26 figure of £92.20. 
• 173 parish and town councils now raise a precept of at least £1 million, an increase of 23 on the 2025/26 figure of 150. 
• 14 parish and town councils started raising a precept for the first time in 2026/27.  
• Four new parish and town councils were created in previously unparished areas. 
• The county area with the largest precept income is Swindon and Wiltshire, where 274 parish and town councils collectively raise £52 million. In contrast, the county areas with the smallest precept income are Cleveland, where 54 councils collectively raise £2 million and the Isle of Wight, where 33 councils collectively raise £8 million. 
• 38 county areas have at least one super council (a parish or town council that raises a precept of at least £1 million).

With combined precept income fast approaching £1 billion, the figures underline the increasing scale and importance of parish and town councils. Across England, they are investing in local services, facilities and projects that respond directly to the priorities of their communities.

The considerable variation between areas also reflects the variety of England's parish and town councils, from small rural parishes to large urban authorities delivering an expanding range of services. The creation of new councils and introduction of first-time precepts demonstrate continued confidence in grassroots democracy and the value of decisions being made close to the people they affect.

As parish and town council investment increases, the government must recognise their growing role and ensure they have the powers and resources to match. We are calling for fairer access to national and devolved funding, greater fiscal flexibility, continued exemption from council tax referendum principles, and for funding to follow whenever services and assets are transferred. This will enable parish and town councils to keep delivering local priorities and building stronger, more resilient communities.