Raised precepts will support the delivery of vital services across the county
Herefordshire Council has today adopted the total Council Tax precepts for all Herefordshire residents. As the billing authority, the council has a statutory duty to collect charges set by each parish council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia and Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority. However, Herefordshire Council has no control over the level of increase or how these organisations choose to spend their budget.
Herefordshire residents will be provided with individual bills based on their parish location. The raised precepts are needed to support the delivery of vital services across the county, with the average Council Tax bill for a band D dwelling set at £2,051.61.
This includes the council’s own tax charge of £1,652.30 (for a Band D dwelling) which was approved by Full Council on 12 February 2021 - the equivalent of £31.78 per week.
The precept for the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia rose by £14.94 to £240.19, an increase of 6.66%.
The precept for Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority rose by £1.69 to £87.68, an increase of 1.97%.
The average Band D Council Tax bill is broken down as follows:
| Average Band D Council Tax bill breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Herefordshire Council | £1652.30 |
| Average parish council precept | £71.44 |
| Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia | £240.19 |
| Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority | £87.68 |
| Total | £2051.61 |
Residents on a low income may be eligible for help to pay their bill through the Council Tax Reduction scheme. Some residents will continue to pay no Council Tax at all, such as young adults who have left care and also all the council approved Foster Carer families.