At the Full Council Meeting of Surrey Heath Borough Council on 19 February, Members set the budget and Council Tax for 2025/26.
Surrey Heath Borough Council collects Council Tax from more than 38,000 households within Surrey Heath on behalf of local authorities in our area.
Of the total collected, 74% goes to Surrey County Council, 14% to the Police, and 1% to Parish Councils. Just 11% stays with Surrey Heath Borough Council, helping to fund a wide range of services and support our local communities.
It was agreed that Surrey Heath Borough Council’s share of residents’ Council Tax bills will increase by just £7.43 per year for a Band D property from April, equivalent to around 14p per week. This is an increase of 2.99%.
The total bill (excluding parish demands) for an average Band D home will rise by 4.69% from £2,330.02 to £2,439.20 for the year.
From the total bill of an average Band D house:
- Surrey County Council and Surrey Fire and Rescue will be given £1,846.35
- Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner will receive £337.57 to fund Surrey Police
- Surrey Heath Borough Council will keep £255.28
Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council Cllr Shaun Macdonald said: “Over the past year, we have faced significant financial pressures due to past property investments, high interest rates, inadequate central government funding, and reduced reserves following the catch-up of four years’ worth of inherited unaudited annual accounts.
"Surrey Heath is projected to deplete its specific earmarked usable reserves within the next two years, putting it at risk of asking for government assistance due to effective bankruptcy.
“We are doing all we can to reduce our costs by being more efficient in the way we work and making savings on our budget, and will be undergoing a major transformation programme to better align core income and expenditure.
"Despite these challenges, we remain committed to delivering high-quality frontline services while prioritising community needs and trying to mitigate the financial pressures ahead.
“We only retain 11% of your total Council Tax bill in Surrey Heath - equivalent to around £255 a year for an average Band D property - which funds a wide range of services, including bin collections, planning, parks and community services. I would like to thank residents for your continued support through your Council Tax contributions."
Anyone struggling to pay their Council Tax should contact Surrey Heath Borough Council to discuss the ways in which we can help. More information on Council Tax support