Parish and town councils are investing more in their communities 

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published council tax levels set by councils in England for the financial year 2026/27, showing that parish and town councils are investing more in their communities.

Critical data specific to parish and town councils include:

• Parish precepts in 2026/27 will total £942 million, which is £83 million higher than in 2025/26 and 2.0% of the overall council tax.
• The average Band D precept charged by local precepting bodies (including parish and town councils) for 2026/27 will be £99.79, an increase of £7.59 or 8.2% in 2026/27.

The statistical release also shows:

• The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2026/27 will be £2,392, an increase of £111 or 4.9% from the 2025/26 figure of £2,171.
• The council tax requirement is £46.8 billion, £5.6 billion higher than in 2025/26.
• The total tax base for setting council tax for 2026/27 was 19.6 million Band D equivalent dwellings, 224,000 or 1.2% higher than in 2025/26. 

Over the last five years, the total value of parish precepts has risen by £654 million, with the average Band D precept increasing by £24.98.

These figures highlight that parish and town councils are playing an increasingly important role in addressing major local challenges, including climate change, the cost of living, health and wellbeing, revitalising high streets and town centres, and community safety. Councils are also delivering services for younger and older residents, all while managing rising costs such as pay and national insurance.

However, parish and town councils do not receive revenue support grants, a share of business rates, or access to government funding. We therefore call on the government to provide additional support, such as through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), to ensure that parish and town councils can continue this vital work.

We also call for parish and town councils to be heard throughout the current programme of local government reorganisation. It should include consultation wherever assets or services may be withdrawn and tailored training and support to strengthen the capacity of parish and town councils to enhance service delivery.

We are proud of the work parish and town councils do to step up for their communities, from meaningful engagement with residents and adopting innovative approaches to tackling local issues to maximising their resources and delivering the services that matter most to local people.

These latest council tax statistics show that parish and town councils are raising more through precepts than ever before, yet they still face significant financial pressures. We are calling on the government to provide targeted funding and ensure they are fully represented in local government reorganisation. With this support, parish and town councils can continue to innovate, engage with residents, and deliver the vital local services that communities rely on every day.

Cllr Iain Hamilton
NALC chair