MALVERN Hills District Council has voted unanimously to freeze its element of council tax.
Each year, Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) is required to formally approve the council tax.
At a council meeting yesterday (Tuesday, February 25), councillors voted unanimously for a Council Tax freeze for the district council’s element of the bill for 2025/26.
From the bill, eight per cent goes towards district council services, including waste and recycling collections, planning services, business support, housing, parks, public toilets, leisure centres, Malvern Theatres and more.
The rest of the bill goes to Worcestershire County Council, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and Town and Parish Councils.
Although MHDC has frozen its council tax precept, Worcestershire County Council (by 4.99 per cent), the Police and Crime Commissioner (by 5.05 per cent), and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service (by 5.14 per cent) have increased theirs.
Following the announcement the UK Government is moving towards a unitary approach to councils, MHDC is budgeting to the end of its expected lifetime and believes this can be funded within existing budgets.
Councillor John Gallagher, Leader of MHDC, said: “Our Council Tax is the second lowest in the county and we want to maintain that. We hope that voting for a zero increase spreads the message of good financial stewardship towards our residents.”
Coun Jeremy Owenson, Deputy Leader of MHDC, said: “This unanimous vote against a Council Tax increase reflects our priorities as an administration and how we are committed to putting the needs of residents first.”
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/council-tax for more information on paying Council Tax and the support available.
