Cumberland Council has revealed its budget plans for 2026 – including a 4.99% rise on its portion of the council tax.
It is asking people for their views on its budget for 2026/27.
The authority said to maintain essential services such as adult social care, children’s services, and waste management, it was proposing a 2.99% increase in council tax and a 2% rise in adult social care levy.
The adult social care levy goes specifically towards things like residential care, supporting those recovering from illness, and services for those with learning and physical disabilities.
Parish councils and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner precepts are set separately and all together make up the council tax bill.
Cumberland Council said like all authorities, it faced significant financial challenges, including rising demand for services, inflation which is above 3%, and changes to government funding.
By law, the council must set a balanced budget.
Formed in 2023 after local government in Cumbria was reorganised, the council said it had put in place a transformation plan to help it get on a more sustainable financial footing, which has already meant £55 million in savings being made.
Most people in Cumberland live in properties in council tax bands A to C. If the proposals to increase council tax go ahead, then those in a band A property would see an increase of £1.22 a week for Cumberland Council services, with Band C bills rising by £1.63 a week. For band D properties the proposed increases equate to a rise of £95.18 a year or £1.83 a week.
Cllr Barbara Cannon, executive member with responsibility for financial planning and assets, said: “Proposing to put up council tax is never an easy decision to make, but has to be balanced with the impact on services and the people who rely on them if we didn’t do it.
“We are very aware of the pressures on household budgets across Cumberland which is why we offer support through the council tax reduction scheme. I would encourage anyone who thinks they might be eligible but doesn’t currently benefit from it, to make sure they apply today.
“We have made millions of pounds in savings over the past few years through our transformation work to make us more financially sustainable, whilst also delivering improvements to services. This work will continue.
“I would encourage everyone to have their say on our proposed rise in council tax for next year’s budget so that their opinion can be taken into account when we come to set the budget in the new year.”
The budget will include capital investment into Cumberland’s communities – including the continued regeneration schemes in towns such as Maryport, Workington, and Millom as well as the city centre of Carlisle.
For more information and to make a response go online at consult.cumberland.gov.uk before January 30. Paper copies are available at libraries and customer contact centres or by calling 0300 373 3730.
