For 2025/2026 the Council tax Bill has been redesigned this year, this brings the bill in line with other Local authorities Bill formats. This years charge has been brought to the top section of the Bill.

The bottom of the page has a section if you are Struggling to pay and need advice and assistance Useful information has been added to the second page. The payment section has been moved to the top of the page. Advice on how to claim Council Tax Support, reporting a change in circumstances, what to do if move address and other useful information is detailed.

Your Bill explained

The council tax bill is in four sections:

1. Personnel Detail section

  • Date of the Bill.
  • The Council Tax Account Number.
  • The liable person and the address the charge is for.
  • Property address (if different) this will include the liable address if the main address billed is a contact address.
  • Your Property Band – The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for allocating a Council Tax band for each domestic property.

2. Breakdown of Charges section

  • This will show the Property Band and the charge period as well as the charge for the year.
  • Any Council Tax Support awarded will show as well as any additional Council Tax Support that may have been awarded.
  • Single Person deductions of 25% will show if awarded.
  • Empty Property premiums – if a property has been empty.
  • You may be eligible for an exemption or discount on your council tax bill.

3. Payments section

  • This will detail the current method of payment, which will either be Direct Debit, Cash or Cheque.

4. Spending Plans section

  • This details the charge for the council, adult social care, police and fire charges as well as the percentage increase of these charges this year. How your Council Tax is spent.
  • There is also a section dedicated to advice if struggling to pay.

Example scenarios

Scenario One - Cash / Cheque Payer

This person lives in a Band C property, their Council tax charge this year is £2145.76.They are in receipt of a 25% Single Persons Discount, which reduces the bill by £536.44.  They have a payment profile of Cash/Cheque. The Payment section shows their first payment for the 2025/2026 Council Tax Bill is due on 25th April 2025 and the amount due is £160.95. Their next payments are due on the 25th of each month. They then have 10 instalments to pay each month from 25th May 2025 to 25th January 2026.

View Scenario 1 sample bill(link is external)

 

Scenario Two - Direct Debit Payer

This person lives in a Band A property, their Council tax charge this year is £1609.32. They have a payment profile of Direct Debit. The payment section shows their first payment for the 2025/2026 Council Tax Bill is due on 25TH April 2025 and the amount due is £160.95. Their next payments are due on the 25th of each month. They then have 9 instalments to pay each month from 25th May 2025 to 25th January 2026.

View Scenario 2 sample bill(link is external)

 

Scenario Three - Account in Credit

This person lives in a Band A property, their Council tax charge for the year is £1609.32.They have a payment profile of Cash/Cheque. The payment section has detailed a credit that their account has brought forward from the previous year. They were in credit to the value £100.00. This has reduced the council charge debt for 2025/2026, instalments have been reduced as a result of the brought forward credit.The first instalment due on 25th April 2025 is £150.95, followed by 9 instalments to pay each month from 25th May 2025 to 25th January 2026  of £150.93. 

View Scenario 3 sample bill(link is external)

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