Last Updated: 16.10.2026
England parish council tax increases in 2026/27 are being driven by higher operating costs, growing local responsibilities, maintenance needs and the amount of money individual parish and town councils require to balance their annual budgets.

Official figures show that parish precepts across England will raise around £942 million in 2026/27, compared with £859 million in 2025/26.

The average Band D parish precept has increased from £92.20 to £99.79, a rise of £7.59 or 8.2%.

The figures also show that parish precepts have been rising consistently over recent years.

However, the amount households pay can vary significantly between areas because each parish or town council sets its budget according to local circumstances.

What Are England Parish Council Tax Increases In 2026/27?

A parish precept is the amount of money that a parish or town council asks its local billing authority to collect through Council Tax.

It is not normally a separate bill. Instead, it appears as part of the household’s overall Council Tax charge and helps fund services delivered at neighbourhood level.

For 2026/27, parish and other local precepts are expected to raise approximately £942 million, which represents about 2% of the overall Council Tax requirement in England.

The amount is around £83 million higher than in the previous financial year.

Parish and town councils can use this money to support services such as:

The services provided differ between councils, which is one reason parish precepts can vary considerably between neighbouring areas.

On What Basis Are Parish Council Tax Precepts Increased?

Parish Council Tax Precepts Increased

Parish councils do not normally increase their precept simply by applying the same percentage every year.

The amount is linked to the council’s budget requirements and the size of the local Council Tax base.

Council Tax levels are broadly determined by looking at how much revenue needs to be raised and dividing that requirement across the local tax base, which is expressed using Band D equivalent properties.

Several factors can increase the amount required.

Annual Budget Requirements

A parish or town council prepares a budget covering its expected spending and income for the coming financial year.

If the council expects to spend more than it can generate from grants, fees, reserves and other income, additional money may need to be raised through the parish precept.

Rising Staffing And Operating Costs

Staffing costs can have a direct effect on council budgets.

The local government services pay agreement for 2026/27 included a 3.3% increase in pay rates and allowances from 1 April 2026.

Parish and town councils employing staff under the relevant local government arrangements therefore need to account for higher salary costs.

Councils can also face higher costs for:

Maintenance Of Local Assets

Community buildings, parks, public toilets, cemeteries and play areas require ongoing maintenance.

An ageing community hall may need roof repairs. A playground may require replacement equipment. Public spaces may need additional maintenance, inspections or safety work.

Large repair programmes can therefore cause a noticeable change in a council’s annual funding requirement.

New Services And Responsibilities

Some parish and town councils are taking greater responsibility for services and assets that might previously have been managed elsewhere.

These can include community centres, public toilets, markets, green spaces and local facilities.

Taking responsibility for an asset can protect an important community service, but it also creates continuing staffing, maintenance, insurance and utility costs.

Have Parish Council Tax Precepts Been Increasing Constantly Over The Years?

Yes. At national level, the average Band D parish precept has increased in each of the last several financial years.

Official figures show the following trend:

Financial YearTotal Parish PreceptsAverage Band D Parish PreceptAnnual Increase
2022/23£655 Million£74.794.1%
2023/24£708 Million£79.125.8%
2024/25£783 Million£85.878.5%
2025/26£859 Million£92.207.4%
2026/27£942 Million£99.798.2%

The figures show that the increase is not unique to 2026/27.

The average Band D parish precept has risen from £74.79 in 2022/23 to £99.79 in 2026/27. Over the same period, total parish precept income has increased from around £655 million to approximately £942 million.

However, this does not mean every parish council has increased its charge every year or by the national average.

Individual councils can freeze their precept, reduce it or increase it by a different percentage depending on their financial position.

How Do Parish Councils Calculate Their Council Tax Precept?

The starting point is the council’s budget.

A simplified calculation is:

Required Spending − Other Expected Income = Amount Required From The Precept

The amount that needs to be collected is then considered against the local Council Tax base.

The tax base represents the number of taxable properties expressed as Band D equivalents rather than simply counting every home equally.

For example, imagine a parish council expects to spend £500,000 during the year but expects £100,000 from other income sources.

That would leave:

£500,000 − £100,000 = £400,000

The council would need to consider raising the remaining £400,000 through its precept or other available resources.

Changes in the tax base also matter. If significant numbers of new homes are built, the cost can potentially be spread across a larger number of properties.

If spending rises faster than the tax base, households may face a higher Band D charge.

How Much Is The Average Parish Precept In 2026/27?

The average Band D precept in areas with a parish or other local precepting body is £99.79 in 2026/27.

This is £7.59 higher than the £92.20 average recorded for 2025/26, representing an increase of 8.2%.

The wider average Band D Council Tax bill in England is £2,392 for 2026/27. This is £111 higher than the previous year’s £2,280 average, representing a 4.9% increase.

Council Tax Measure2025/262026/27Change
Average Band D Parish Precept£92.20£99.798.2%
Average Band D Council Tax£2,280£2,3924.9%
Total Parish Precepts£859 Million£942 MillionAbout 9.7%

The parish percentage increase is therefore higher than the overall Council Tax percentage increase, although the cash amount involved is much smaller.

Is There A Limit On How Much Parish Councils Can Increase Their Precept?

Parish and town councils are treated differently from many larger local authorities when it comes to Council Tax referendum rules.

For 2026/27, the government did not set a Council Tax referendum principle for town and parish councils.

The government has said this approach depends on parish and town councils taking available steps to reduce the need for unnecessary increases and considering the effect of precepts on taxpayers.

This helps explain why a parish precept can increase by more than percentages commonly discussed in relation to principal council Council Tax.

It does not mean every parish council will make a large increase.

Councillors still have to approve a budget and determine how much money the council needs. Decisions should take account of local services, financial reserves, expected income, future projects and affordability for residents.

What Has Changed With Parish Council Precepts During 2026?

The latest analysis published in September 2026 provides a clearer picture of how parish and town council finances are changing.

NALC reported that 173 parish and town councils now raise precepts of at least £1 million, compared with 150 in 2025/26.

It also found that:

NALC also reported that parish and town councils across the Swindon and Wiltshire county area collectively raise around £52 million in precept income.

These figures do not mean households in those areas automatically pay the highest individual parish charges.

They demonstrate the growing scale of parish and town council finances and the expanding role these councils are playing in local services.

Why Are Parish Precepts Rising Faster In Some Areas?

There is no single England-wide parish Council Tax rate.

Local councils can have very different responsibilities.

One parish may manage only a small number of facilities, while another town council could employ substantial numbers of staff and operate parks, community buildings, markets, events, public toilets and other services.

Areas experiencing housing growth may also need investment in new facilities and public spaces.

Other councils may face expensive repairs to older assets or take responsibility for services previously operated by another local authority.

Factors affecting local differences include:

For this reason, the national average of £99.79 should be treated as a comparison figure rather than the amount every household will pay.

What Do Parish Council Tax Increases Mean For Households?

Households in areas with a parish precept may see the local element of their Council Tax bill increase during 2026/27.

The precise amount depends on both the council’s precept and the property’s Council Tax band.

Band D is used as the standard reference point in official statistics. Properties in lower bands generally pay a smaller proportion, while properties in higher bands pay more.

Residents can check their individual Council Tax bill to identify the parish or town council element.

They can also look at:

The key issue is not simply whether the percentage has increased. Residents can also consider what services, assets or projects the additional money will support.

What Services Are Parish And Town Council Precepts Funding?

Parish and Town Council Precepts Funding

Parish and town councils operate at the most local level of government and often concentrate spending on services residents encounter in their immediate communities.

Precept funding may support:

Higher spending does not always mean entirely new services are being introduced.

In some areas, additional precept income may simply allow existing services to continue despite increased wages, maintenance bills, insurance and other operating costs.

Do Parish Council Tax Increases Affect Businesses?

The parish precept discussed here is part of Council Tax, which primarily applies to domestic properties. It should not be confused with the Business Rates charged on most non-domestic properties.

Businesses can still be affected indirectly by parish and town council spending.

Town councils may invest precept income in projects that influence commercial areas, including:

These activities can affect the attractiveness and accessibility of town centres and local shopping areas.

The relationship is therefore mainly indirect.

A business may benefit from locally funded improvements even though the parish precept itself appears on domestic Council Tax bills rather than being added as a separate parish charge to its Business Rates bill.

Will Parish Council Tax Continue To Increase?

There is no confirmed national parish precept figure for 2027/28 yet.

Future changes will depend on individual council budgets, staffing costs, inflation, asset maintenance, the local tax base and decisions about which services parish and town councils provide.

The longer-term figures nevertheless show clear upward pressure.

Total parish precept income has risen from around £655 million in 2022/23 to approximately £942 million in 2026/27, while the average Band D parish precept has risen from £74.79 to £99.79 over the same period.

Whether this trend continues at the same pace will depend on local spending decisions and the wider funding environment.

Conclusion

England parish council tax increases in 2026/27 reflect a combination of higher operating costs, expanding responsibilities, local investment and individual council budget requirements.

The average Band D parish precept has reached £99.79, while parish precepts across England are raising approximately £942 million.

The increase is also part of a longer trend. Average parish precepts have risen each year from 2022/23 to 2026/27, although the percentage increase has varied.

Importantly, there is no single parish Council Tax rate for England. What a household pays depends on its local council, property band and the services being funded in its area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Parish Council Tax Increasing In England?

Higher staffing, maintenance, insurance, energy and service costs are contributing to increases. Some councils are also taking responsibility for additional local assets and services.

Has Parish Council Tax Increased Every Year?

At national average level, the Band D parish precept has increased each year from 2022/23 through 2026/27. Individual councils can follow different patterns.

How Much Is The Average Parish Precept In 2026/27?

The average Band D parish precept in precepting areas is £99.79 for 2026/27, up £7.59 or 8.2% from 2025/26.

How Is A Parish Council Precept Decided?

Councils examine their expected expenditure, other income, reserves and local tax base before determining how much revenue needs to be collected through the precept.

Can Parish Councils Increase Their Precept By More Than 5%?

Yes. No Council Tax referendum principle was set for town and parish councils for 2026/27, although councils are expected to consider affordability and take steps to limit unnecessary increases.

Does Every Household In England Pay A Parish Precept?

No. Not every part of England has a parish or other local precepting body. Charges also vary between areas that do have one.

How Can Residents Check Their Parish Council Tax Increase?

Residents can check their annual Council Tax bill and review the parish or town council’s budget, meeting minutes and financial documents to see the approved precept and how the money is intended to be spent.