Another area of Lancashire hit by council tax rise – but it's not as bad for households as it could be

It is the second year the borough’s ruling executive – coalition of the Burnley Independent Group, Liberal Democrats and Greens – has chosen to opt for the lower figure.

A meeting on Wednesday night voted to recommend the 2026/27 tax increase to the full Burnley Council budget meeting on Tuesday next week.

Taxpayers also face separate increases from other collecting authorities, including Reform-led Lancashire County Council.

If confirmed, the Burnley Council tax rise proposes increasing the annual borough council tax for a ‘typical’ Band D home from £344.58 to £351.44 from April 1 – an increase of £6.86 per year.

For homes in Band A and Band B – the vast majority of houses in the borough – the increases are £4.60 to £234.32 and £5.36 to £273.37 a year respectively.

The executive meeting also decided to freeze burial and cremation charges at the 2025/26 level at a cost of £35,000.

Reform UK-run Lancashire County Council has proposed a council tax increase of 3.8 per cent, as opposed to the maximum of 4.99 per cent.

Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw has proposed an increase to the police precept for a Band D property of £15, and the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority has proposed a £5 increase.

These ‘precepts’ are added to the council tax bills of Burnley residents.

The council’s finance boss Cllr Maggie Lishman said: “The council’s executive is again proposing a council tax rise that is lower than that recommended by central government.

“There are a number of investment proposals included in the budget.

“They include tackling environmental crime more efficiently and visibly across the borough with a targeted and proactive dedicated team combining enforcement with immediate waste removal in a single visit; improving street cleaning; and continuing the Ward Opportunities Fund to enable councillors to fund small schemes in their wards.

“These are all things our residents tell us are needed and will be welcome.

“Finally, the executive is making good on the promise to remove the burden of council tax from terminally ill residents who receive council tax support, as proposed at the September council meeting.

“This is a strong budget, which is a result of years of prudent and effective management of the council’s resources.

“We are continuing to be ambitious in our plans to maintain and improve our borough.”

Cllr Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council’s opposition Labour group, said: “I welcome the below general inflation increase being recommended.

“It’s good news that the government’s increased funding of local government is resulting in a fairer deal for residents, providing an expansion in priority services, some relief from the cost of living crisis and reduced pressure on council finances going forward.”

Leader of the council’s Conservative group, Cllr Jamie McGowan, added: “Every year our group has put forward an alternative budget which not only keeps more money in people’s pockets but sets a standard of how we should approach tax.

“That will be the same at the upcoming full council because it cannot and should not be the case that we see automatic tax rises year on year.”