Cabinet – 3 December 2025
Council Tax 2026/27 – Setting the Tax Base
|
Purpose |
For decision |
|
Classification |
Public |
|
Executive Summary |
The Council sets the tax base each year being an annual calculation which sets out the estimated number of chargeable dwellings in the district, expressed at the number of Band D equivalents. This report provides details of the tax base for 2026/27 and the calculation process. |
|
Recommendation |
That Cabinet recommend to Council the approval of: 1. the calculation of the tax base for the year 2026/27 of 74,305.8
2. pursuant to this report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by this Council as its council tax base for the year 2026/27 as detailed in paragraph 13. |
|
Reasons for recommendation |
To approve the tax base for determining budget setting and the amount of council tax to levy. |
|
Wards |
All |
|
Portfolio Holder |
Councillor Jeremy Heron – Finance & Corporate |
|
Strategic Director |
Alan Bethune – Strategic Director Corporate Resources and Transformation |
|
Officer Contact |
Ryan Stevens Service Manager Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services 02380 285693 |
Introduction and background
1. The purpose of this report is to enable Members to approve the tax base for 2026/27.
2. Setting the tax base is an integral part of the Budget setting process and the determination of Council Tax levels. The tax base must be calculated in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012, and the calculation has to be set between 1 December and 31 January. The approved tax base must be notified to the County Council by 31 January.
3. The tax base is a yearly calculation and represents the estimated number of dwellings to which council tax is chargeable and is set to a “Band D equivalent” figure. The Valuation Office Agency allocate each domestic dwelling into one of eight valuation bands (A to H) for council tax purposes, with different proportions of tax payable by each band.
4. The tax base is the estimated number of dwellings in the district, modified to take account of the different proportions payable, and any premiums, discounts, exemptions and other reductions. The Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan includes an assumption of additional Council Tax collection based on an expectation of annual growth in the Tax Base, pursuant to the Local Plan and required housing growth targets.
5. The calculation of the tax base for tax setting also includes an estimated allowance for non-collection.
6. Separate calculations are required of the tax base for each Parish.
The Calculation Process
7. The starting point is the number of properties in each council tax valuation band, which is then adjusted to allow for estimates of:
· The number of properties estimated as being exempt as not all properties are liable to pay council tax
· The number of demolished properties due to be removed from the valuation list
· The number of properties that have a disabled band reduction, where eligible properties are treated as being in the band below the one in which it is actually valued (for dwellings in Band A they pay 5/9th of the Band D charge)
· The number of properties that have a 25% or 50% discount (i.e. single person discount)
· The number of properties where a 100% discount will apply for one month only, due to being unoccupied and unfurnished (‘void’) dwellings.
· Known growth where a completion notice has been issued for a property, but a valuation banding has not been received from the Valuation Office Agency
· The estimated number of properties subject to an Empty Homes Premium,
· The estimated number of properties subject to the Second Homes Premium of 100%.
9. The Council Tax Reduction scheme (CTR) operates as a discount on claimants Council Tax bills to support households on a low income with paying their council tax, with the effect of reducing the council tax base. The value of CTR awarded to pensioners and those of working age is dependent on their circumstances and are aggregated to arrive at the total council tax reduction. These values are converted into the tax base and band D equivalents. The number of claimants remains constant, at approximately 8,000. There are no changes proposed to the CTR scheme for 2026/27.
10. The next step of the calculation is to assess the likely in-year collection rate and thereby make an appropriate allowance for non-collection. The estimated in-year collection rate for 2026/27 is 98.5%, which takes into consideration our consistent record of good performance in Council Tax collection in recent years, the impact of the cost of living, and is considered prudent. Contributions in lieu for Ministry of Defence dwellings are then added. A summary of the whole calculation process is shown in Appendix 3.
11. The figures used in the calculation process are based on latest actuals at a given date. Appendix 2 shows 2026/27 tax base compared to 2025/26. Negative changes in amounts could be due to an increase in discounts, reductions, exemptions, or CTR, thus reducing the tax base.
12. Although there may be some growth in the tax base in the forthcoming year, for example new developments, it is advisable to take a prudent approach, for example they may have a discount or claim Council Tax Reduction. If dwellings are improved and/or extended, council tax valuation bandings only normally change after a subsequent sale or the granting of a lease of 7 years or more.
Tax base for 2026/27
13. The tax base for 2026/27 is 74,305.8. For each Town and Parish the tax base is as follows:
|
TOWN/PARISH |
TAX BASE 26/27 |
|
Ashurst & Colbury |
951.9 |
|
Beaulieu |
577.9 |
|
Boldre |
1137.8 |
|
Bramshaw |
352.5 |
|
Bransgore |
1884.1 |
|
Breamore |
185.7 |
|
Brockenhurst |
2022.3 |
|
Burley |
851.6 |
|
Copythorne |
1242.7 |
|
Damerham |
254.8 |
|
Denny Lodge |
165.3 |
|
East Boldre |
391.8 |
|
Ellingham, Harbridge & Ibsley |
649.9 |
|
Exbury & Lepe |
132.3 |
|
Fawley |
4648.8 |
|
Fordingbridge |
2599.4 |
|
Godshill |
234.9 |
|
Hale |
267.3 |
|
Hordle |
2495.5 |
|
Hyde |
545.3 |
|
Hythe & Dibden |
7563.9 |
|
Lymington & Pennington |
7975.7 |
|
Lyndhurst |
1562.1 |
|
Marchwood |
2078.6 |
|
Martin |
196.4 |
|
Milford on Sea |
3164.5 |
|
Minstead |
385.8 |
|
Netley Marsh |
857 |
|
New Milton |
10825.8 |
|
Ringwood |
5497.4 |
|
Rockbourne |
169.4 |
|
Sandleheath |
303.2 |
|
Sopley |
395.6 |
|
Sway |
1779.8 |
|
Totton & Eling |
9587.5 |
|
Whitsbury |
107.5 |
|
Woodgreen |
263.8 |
|
Whole District |
74,305.8 |
14. The overall Band D equivalent net dwellings has increased by 950.80 (1.29%) from 2025/26 to 2026/27, the higher this growth in dwelling numbers the higher the tax base and consequent council tax yield. The second year application of the second homes premium has largely led to the increase in the overall tax base for 2026/27, as 2025/26 was based on a prudent estimate of second homes with actual numbers being higher than originally estimated. This confirmed net growth figure will now be reflected in the next update to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.
15. The setting of the tax base is a legal requirement and supports our corporate priorities by ensuring we are financially responsible and manage our finances prudently.
Options appraisal
16. The Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992 set out the requirements for the calculation of the council tax base for tax setting purposes. Therefore, there are no alternative options.
Financial and resource implications
17. The calculation of the tax base is a key part of the annual budget cycle, and the Council needs to determine the council tax base for the financial year 2026/27 to enable the required level of Council Tax to be calculated for that year.
18. The tax base figures provided within Appendix 2 of this report have been communicated to town and parish councils and the other precepting authorities, so that they can start to factor these into their budget setting process for 2026/27.
19. Any Council Tax surplus/deficit on the Collection Fund will be shared between the Principal Authorities, pro rata to the demand/precept on the fund for the year concerned.
Legal implications
20. There is a legal requirement to set the tax base. Members should be aware of the provisions of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, which applies to members where;
(a) they are present at a meeting of the Council, the Cabinet or a Committee and at the time of the meeting an amount of Council Tax is payable by them and has remained unpaid for at least two months; and
(b) any budget or Council Tax calculation, or recommendation or decision which might affect the making of any such calculation, is the subject of consideration at the meeting.
21. In these circumstances, any such members shall at the meeting and as soon as practicable after its commencement disclose the fact that Section 106 applies to them and shall not vote on any question concerning the matter in (b) above. It should be noted that such members are not debarred from speaking on these matters. Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a criminal offence, unless any such members can prove they did not know that Section 106 applied to them at the time of the meeting or that the matter in question was the subject of consideration at the meeting
Risk assessment
22. There are no risk assessments required.
Environmental / Climate and nature implications
23. There are no environmental or climate and nature implications arising from this report.
Equalities implications
24. There are no equality implications arising from this report.
Crime and disorder implications
25. There are no crime and disorder implications arising from this report.
Data protection / Information governance / ICT implications
26. There are no data protection, information governance or ICT implications arising from this report.
Conclusion
27. The setting of the tax base is a legal requirement and the regulations require that the tax base be formally approved for each parish/town Council area, with the calculations being approved through a resolution by the Council.
28. A prudent approach is taken in forecasting the tax base. Clearly, there is an obligation to ensure that sufficient funds are realised to meet the Council’s expenditure. A realistic collection rate has to be determined. It is important that the tax base is not overstated, as any shortfall will result in interest costs falling on the Council’s General Fund.
|
Appendices Appendix 1 – Valuation Bands Appendix 2 – Tax Base comparison Appendix 3 – Calculation summary |
Background Papers: The Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012 |
Appendix 1
VALUATION BANDS
All dwellings have been valued by the Valuation Office Agency, based on property prices at April 1991. There are eight valuation bands and each dwelling has been placed into one of these bands according to its assessed value at that time. Band A is the lowest. The higher the band, the higher the council tax charge will be. See the table below:-
BAND RANGE OF VALUES PROPORTION
A Up to £40,000 £1.00
B Over £40,000 - £52,000 £1.17
C Over £52,000 - £68,000 £1.33
D Over £68,000 - £88,000 £1.50
E Over £88,000 - £120,000 £1.83
F Over £120,000 - £160,000 £2.17
G Over £160,000 - £320,000 £2.50
H Over £320,000 £3.00
For every £1.00 of Council Tax for a band ‘A’ property, a band ‘B’ property will be charged £1.17 - and so on. Any discounts and reductions would make the difference less than this.
Appendix 2
TAX BASES FOR 2026/27 COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEAR 2025/26
|
PARISH/TOWN |
TAX BASE 25/26 |
TAX BASE 26/27 |
CHANGE |
|
Ashurst & Colbury |
952.2 |
951.9 |
-0.3 |
|
Beaulieu |
541.6 |
577.9 |
36.3 |
|
Boldre |
1,094.5 |
1137.8 |
43.3 |
|
Bramshaw |
347.4 |
352.5 |
5.1 |
|
Bransgore |
1,864.5 |
1884.1 |
19.6 |
|
Breamore |
189.4 |
185.7 |
-3.7 |
|
Brockenhurst |
1,969.8 |
2022.3 |
52.5 |
|
Burley |
830.5 |
851.6 |
21.1 |
|
Copythorne |
1,236.9 |
1242.7 |
5.8 |
|
Damerham |
252.1 |
254.8 |
2.7 |
|
Denny Lodge |
162 |
165.3 |
3.3 |
|
East Boldre |
389.6 |
391.8 |
2.2 |
|
Ellingham, Harbridge & Ibsley |
650.7 |
649.9 |
-0.8 |
|
Exbury & Lepe |
121.4 |
132.3 |
10.9 |
|
Fawley |
4,625.6 |
4648.8 |
23.2 |
|
Fordingbridge |
2,576.9 |
2599.4 |
22.5 |
|
Godshill |
230.2 |
234.9 |
4.7 |
|
Hale |
269.5 |
267.3 |
-2.2 |
|
Hordle |
2,472.1 |
2495.5 |
23.4 |
|
Hyde |
533.9 |
545.3 |
11.4 |
|
Hythe & Dibden |
7,511.6 |
7563.9 |
52.3 |
|
Lymington & Pennington |
7,716.4 |
7975.7 |
259.3 |
|
Lyndhurst |
1,507.8 |
1562.1 |
54.3 |
|
Marchwood |
2,073.2 |
2078.6 |
5.4 |
|
Martin |
197.9 |
196.4 |
-1.5 |
|
Milford on Sea |
3,031.5 |
3164.5 |
133 |
|
Minstead |
384 |
385.8 |
1.8 |
|
Netley Marsh |
837.4 |
857 |
19.6 |
|
New Milton |
10,741 |
10825.8 |
84.8 |
|
Ringwood |
5,507.3 |
5497.4 |
-9.9 |
|
Rockbourne |
167.8 |
169.4 |
1.6 |
|
Sandleheath |
302.1 |
303.2 |
1.1 |
|
Sopley |
406.7 |
395.6 |
-11.1 |
|
Sway |
1,752.6 |
1779.8 |
27.2 |
|
Totton & Eling |
9,542.8 |
9587.5 |
44.7 |
|
Whitsbury |
107.1 |
107.5 |
0.4 |
|
Woodgreen |
257 |
263.8 |
6.8 |
|
Whole District |
73,355.00 |
74,305.8 |
950.8 |
|
|
Appendix 3 |
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|
SUMMARY |
||||||||||
|
DIS. A |
BAND A |
BAND B |
BAND C |
BAND D |
BAND E |
BAND F |
BAND G |
BAND H |
TOTAL |
|
|
Total no. of dwellings |
0 |
7339 |
12262 |
18291 |
19483 |
13708 |
7221 |
4705 |
625 |
83634 |
|
Active exemptions |
0 |
387 |
215 |
282 |
377 |
210 |
102 |
59 |
7 |
1639 |
|
Demolished and to be removed |
0 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
25 |
|
No. dwellings subject to disabled reduction |
0 |
34 |
87 |
190 |
209 |
173 |
78 |
64 |
25 |
860 |
|
No. of disabled band reductions |
34 |
87 |
190 |
209 |
173 |
78 |
64 |
25 |
0 |
860 |
|
No. of dwellings adjusted for disabled relief |
34 |
6999 |
12147 |
18025 |
19065 |
13400 |
7103 |
4604 |
593 |
81970 |
|
No. entitled to 25% discount |
16 |
4219 |
5650 |
6147 |
5929 |
3380 |
1467 |
801 |
77 |
27681 |
|
No. of dwellings entitled to 50% discount |
0 |
185 |
31 |
24 |
36 |
24 |
41 |
38 |
7 |
386 |
|
No. entitled to 100% discount |
0 |
32 |
38 |
34 |
23 |
13 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
150 |
|
Total discounts |
16 |
4654.78 |
5739.56 |
6206.56 |
6008.8 |
3436.08 |
1550.36 |
878.02 |
92.02 |
28583.2 |
|
Discount deduction |
4 |
1163.69 |
1434.89 |
1551.64 |
1502.2 |
859.02 |
387.59 |
219.5 |
23.01 |
7145.8 |
|
Net dwellings |
30 |
5835.3 |
10712.11 |
16473.36 |
17562.79 |
12540.98 |
6715.41 |
4384.49 |
569.99 |
74824.2 |
|
Second homes premium (100%) |
0 |
63 |
78 |
165 |
302 |
226 |
185 |
162 |
29 |
1210 |
|
No. subject to a premium (100%) |
0 |
52 |
51 |
51 |
62 |
29 |
49 |
18 |
5 |
310 |
|
No. subject to a premium (200%) |
0 |
19 |
3 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
42 |
|
No. subject to a premium (300%) |
0 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
14 |
|
Adjusted net dwellings |
30 |
5940.3 |
10768.11 |
16544.36 |
17631.8 |
12580.98 |
6778.41 |
4411.49 |
574.99 |
75260.45 |
|
Band D equivalents |
16.7 |
3960.2 |
8375.2 |
14706.1 |
17631.8 |
15376.8 |
9791 |
7352.5 |
1150 |
79784.4 |
|
Reduction due to CTR band D equiv |
4.97 |
923.42 |
1406.09 |
1330.30 |
583.69 |
240.74 |
54.93 |
24.53 |
1.46 |
4570.14 |
|
Adjusted band d equivalents |
11.93 |
3078.75 |
7029.92 |
13522.45 |
17351.04 |
15412.36 |
10003.21 |
7598.17 |
1206.44 |
75214.3 |
|
98.5% Collection rate |
74086.09 |
|||||||||
|
Contributions in lieu |
220 |
|||||||||
|
Tax base |
74305.8 |
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