Overview
- Press Association analysis shows 119 of 153 top‑tier authorities have proposed or confirmed 4.99% rises, with six permitted to go higher, meaning 82% plan at least 4.99% though this is down from 88% last year.
- Southampton approved a 4.99% increase at full council on Wednesday, while Blackburn with Darwen has also voted for the maximum and Brent has confirmed 4.99% as London largely lines up near‑maximum hikes.
- Waltham Forest’s cabinet backed a 4.99% rise and a £19m government loan facility that would be drawn only if needed, pending full council approval.
- Some councils are lower than the cap, including North East Lincolnshire at 4.5%, Coventry at 3.95% and Rutland at 2.0%, reflecting varied impacts from the Fair Funding settlement.
- A small group have permission to exceed the usual limit, with North Somerset and Shropshire proposing 8.99%, Worcestershire 8.98%, and Trafford, Warrington and Windsor & Maidenhead allowed up to 7.49%.