Rochdale Borough Council is developing a new council tax discount scheme for 2026/27, which would see thousands of households receive a two per cent reduction on their bills.
The proposed scheme, due to be discussed at the council’s budget-setting meeting on Wednesday 25 February, would mirror similar discounts applied in 2023 and 2024. If approved, it would take an average of £41 off the annual bill for eligible households.
The move comes as the council prepares to raise council tax by the full 4.99 per cent permitted by government. However, the two per cent rebate will be paid for using council reserves, effectively limiting the increase for residents to 2.99 per cent.
According to the proposal, Band A homes, which account for over half of properties in the borough, would see bills rise by around £1.16 per week. Empty homes would not be eligible for the discount.
The cost of the scheme is expected to be around £3 million. Bills including the discount are scheduled to be issued to residents in early March, shortly after the February budget meeting.
Council leader Councillor Neil Emmott said the plan strikes a balance between investment and affordability:
Our proposal for this year’s council tax bills is about ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality value for money services, while ensuring residents have a discount on their council tax to help with their household budgets.
We are protecting frontline services across Heywood, Middleton, Pennines and Rochdale and ensuring any increase to council tax is fair and balanced.
Combined with our recent cash injection of £3.5 million through the Ward Capital Fund, this underlines that not only are we protecting services, we are investing in future growth, delivering the bread and butter initiatives that matter most to people.
The final decision will be made at the full council meeting later this month.
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