Council tax
The council tax you pay goes towards a range of services provided by the County Council, police, district and parish councils.
Council tax is collected by your local district council.
For specific information about council tax, such as registering for council tax, billing and paying your council tax, changing address, council tax benefits, discounts and exemptions, and council tax banding, you will need to contact your local district council.
Council tax budget 2025-26
At its meeting on 18 February 2025, Norfolk County Council agreed to increase the council tax for 2025-26 by 4.99%. This increase works out at an extra £83.52 for a Band D property, approximately £1.60 per week.
The financial climate in which local government operates continues to be challenging, with significant pressures of £102m across services. The agreed council tax increase of 4.99%, is below the referendum threshold set by government of 5%. This balanced approach recognises the financial pressures faced by local taxpayers while enabling the council to protect vital services and will help to ensure a robust and sustainable financial position in future years.
The 2025-26 council tax attributable to Norfolk County Council includes a precept to fund adult social care. The increase of for 2025-26 is calculated based on the total council tax charged by Norfolk County Council in 2024-25 (a 5% increase on the total of the Norfolk County Council - General and Norfolk County Council - Adult Social Care Precept elements of 2024-25 council tax bills). The rise comprises:
- an increase in the element relating to county-wide services equivalent to a 3% rise in Council Tax; and
- an increase in the element ring-fenced to help fund Adult Social Care (the Social Care Precept) equivalent to a 2% rise in Council Tax.
This table shows how the increase affects the County Council's share of each Council Tax band:
| Band | Total Council Tax 2024-25 | General 3% increase | Adult Social Care Precept 2% increase | Total Council Tax 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A | £1,114.74 | £33.42 | £22.26 | £1,170.42 |
| B | £1,300.53 | £38.99 | £25.97 | £1,365.49 |
| C | £1,486.32 | £44.56 | £29.68 | £1,560.56 |
| D | £1,672.11 | £50.13 | £33.39 | £1,755.63 |
| E | £2,043.69 | £61.27 | £40.81 | £2,145.77 |
| F | £2,415.27 | £72.41 | £48.23 | £2,535.91 |
| G | £2,786.85 | £83.55 | £55.65 | £2,926.05 |
| H | £3,344.22 | £100.26 | £66.78 | £3,511.26 |
This is how the council tax increase is calculated for a Band D household:
- The total 2024-25 charge was £1,672.11
- Add £1,672.11 x 3% = £50.13 for the General council tax increase
- Add £1,672.11 x 2% = £33.39 for the Adult Social Care Precept increase
- Gives total 2025-26 charge of £1,755.63
The presentation of council tax bills is set out by Government (the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) in regulations each year. The display of elements of the council tax bill relating to Norfolk County Council has changed from that used in 2024-25. For 2025-26 the prescribed approach requires billing authorities to adjust the presentation of the council tax charge by Adult Social Care authorities on council tax bills to show a single line for a total cash charge and annual increase, with one cash figure and one percentage figure.
Summary of the council's budget and council tax requirement
| Item | 2025-26 (£m) | 2024-25 (£m) |
|---|---|---|
| Gross expenditure | 2,167.4 | 1,963.8 |
| Income budgets and use of reserves | -1,335.1 | -1,181.1 |
| Revenue Support Grant and Business Rates income | -260.4 | -255.0 |
| Council's Net Budget | 571.9 | 527.7 |
| Estimated Deficit / (Surplus) on District Council Collection Funds | -3.0 | -3.3 |
| Council tax requirement (Precept charge on District Councils) | -568.8 | -524.5 |
| Council tax for average Band D property | £1,755.63 | £1,672.11 |
| Of which - | - | - |
| Council tax for Band D (General) | £1,494.09 | £1,443.96 |
| Council tax for Band D (Adult Social Care Precept) | £261.54 | £228.15 |
There is an increase in the precept charge on District Councils, which is due in part to the increase in the tax base (i.e. additional homes).
Levies to Agencies included in the council's budget:
| Item | 2025-26 (£m) | 2024-25 (£m) |
|---|---|---|
| Environment Agency | 1.010 | 0.989 |
| Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority | 0.680 | 0.664 |
Share this page
