Wiltshire Council Tax: Understanding Your Bill for 2026/27

Wiltshire Council has approved its budget for 2026/27, leading to an increase in council tax for residents across the county.

This article breaks down the changes, explains how your payments are allocated, and highlights key investments and savings outlined in the new budget.

The Overall Increase

For the 2026/27 financial year, Wiltshire Council has implemented a general council tax increase of 2.99%, alongside an additional 2% adult social care levy. These combined increases are projected to generate an additional £20.5 million to support essential services
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The average Band D property, often used as a benchmark, will see its council tax rise to approximately £2,571.78 annually
. This represents an increase of £87.30 per year, or about £7.84 per month

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Where Your Money Goes: A Detailed Breakdown

The total council tax bill for a Band D property is composed of several elements:
•Wiltshire Council: £1,981.15
•Police: £298.27
•Fire Authority: £96.95
•Parish Council Precept: An average of £195.41, though this figure varies significantly by parish

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Parish Precept Variations

Parish precepts differ based on the services provided by local town and parish councils, which can include amenities like public toilets, community buildings, play areas, and subsidised parking. For instance, a Band D household in Salisbury will pay the highest precept at £401.22, reflecting the services run by its city council. In contrast, smaller parishes like Sopworth have significantly lower charges, with some parish meetings charging nothing at all

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Council Tax Bands for 2026/27

The amount of council tax you pay depends on your property's valuation band. The estimated annual charges for each band are as follows:

Note: These figures represent the Wiltshire Council, Police, and Fire Authority portions, plus an average parish precept. Individual bills will vary based on specific parish charges

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How Wiltshire Council Spends Your Contribution

For every £100 generated through council tax and business rates, Wiltshire Council allocates funds to various critical services:
•Adult Social Care: £40
•Supporting and Caring for Young People: £22
•Waste Management: £11
•Maintaining Roads and Subsidising Bus Services: £8
•Investing in Roads, Schools, and Housing: £6
•Running the Council: £6
•Property Assets: £3
•Online Digital Services: £2
•Leisure and Libraries: £1
•Economic Investment: £1

Budget Amendments and Savings

The approved budget for 2026/27 includes several amendments made in response to public feedback and detailed scrutiny. These include ensuring the continued operation of Purton and Lower Compton household recycling centres (HRCs) and maintaining grants for community transport
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To balance the budget without relying on reserves, the council has identified £27.6 million in new savings, in addition to £5.3 million agreed previously. These savings will be achieved through measures such as service redesign, increased use of automation and AI, reviewing staff vacancies, better use of council buildings, and strengthening procurement

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Capital Programme Investments

The council's £260 million capital programme for 2026/27 outlines significant investments across the county, including

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•£15 million for road resurfacing and pothole management
•£3.3 million for the Warm Homes: Local Grant Scheme
•£1 million for leisure centre fitness equipment
•£10.8 million for the A350 Chippenham bypass
•£16.1 million for structures and bridges
•£27 million for new council house building
•£13 million for the new Trowbridge leisure centre
•£12.1 million for school maintenance and modernisation


Wiltshire Council's 2026/27 budget reflects a commitment to delivering vital services and investing in the county's future, despite ongoing financial challenges. The council tax increase, coupled with strategic savings and investments, aims to support residents, communities, and businesses across Wiltshire.