Heads up, Cardiff residents! Big news on council tax changes: Cardiff Council has given the green light to a 3.9% council tax hike for the 2026/27 financial year. For those in Band D properties, that’s an extra £1.15 a week.
But it’s not all bad news! While your council tax bill might be going up, the same budget promises a boost in spending on schools and services for vulnerable children and adults. £14.1 million will flow into delegated school budgets, with another £4.1 million earmarked for retained education funds, plus additional millions for both children’s and adult services.
Even with these promising developments, Cardiff still faces a hefty £22.7 million financial gap. To bridge it, council leaders expect £7.9 million to come from this new tax increase and £14.78 million from various efficiency and change programmes. Unfortunately, this means a reduction of over 64 full-time roles, according to the budget plan.
During the budget discussions, council members didn’t hold back. There were claims of the city’s roads being “an embarrassment” and criticisms of the council’s borrowing levels. With debates heating up, some councillors rallied for a more compassionate approach to those struggling with payments, recognising that cost of living pressures are increasingly affecting residents.
Amidst the discussions on budget fairness and spending priorities, it’s clear that Cardiff’s proposed council tax rise is actually on the lower end compared to other Welsh authorities.
Have your say: What do you think of these changes? Will the benefits outweigh the costs, or is this just adding more pressure to your pocket? Let us know your thoughts!