Dacorum sets Council Tax for 2026/27

Dacorum Borough Council logo and map

A ‘fair and prudent’ budget has been agreed by Dacorum Borough Council.

At a meeting of Full Council on 18 February, councillors voted to protect essential services and support new investment across the borough.

In doing so, they agreed to a 2.99% increase in the Council’s portion of the council tax bill. This equates to around £7.06 for a Band D property.

Cllr William Allen, Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Commercial Services, said: ‘This budget shows fairness, foresight, and prudence.

‘We are maintaining the Council’s financially stable position with a balanced budget and ensuring its finances are being managed well for the benefit of all Dacorum residents.

‘Though local government finances are challenged, the Council is investing to ensure we meet the commitments we have made to residents. The 2.99% rise in Dacorum’s share of Council Tax is necessary to keep the Council’s income in line with inflationary pressures and rising costs.

‘Where more funding has been made available through changes to the Local Government Finance Settlement, this will be used to help address inequalities within the Borough and support the most vulnerable in our communities.

‘We have additional funding because Central Government’s Fair Funding Review has identified high levels of need in Dacorum, and funding is being allocated to address inequalities, especially for young people.’

Dacorum Borough Council receives only a small share of the overall council tax bill. In 2026/27, just 10.2% of every pound collected will go to the Borough Council, with the majority allocated to Hertfordshire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Council must carefully manage the limited proportion it retains to deliver essential local services, and the decision taken at Full Council is in line with Dacorum’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The 2026/27 budget solidifies the Council’s long-term commitment to major infrastructure development within the borough. Between now and the end of March 2031, £65.5m will be invested in capital programmes. This includes:

  • £28m for refurbishing sports and leisure centres]
  • £9.1m for place shaping, regeneration and accelerated housing delivery
  • £2m for adventure playground investment

In the coming year, there will also be £1.4m of new investment in local neighbourhoods, community assets and town centre regeneration, alongside £500,000 of additional government funding to support community‑based initiatives aimed at reducing inequalities.

An additional £200,000 will be going to Town and Parish councils to support resilience and infrastructure.

A public consultation on the draft budget took place earlier in the year, and the feedback received was considered as part of the final budget‑setting process.

Further information about this year’s Council Tax and how the budget supports local services is available on the Council’s website at www.dacorum.gov.uk/council-tax. Information will also be included in the Council Tax leaflet delivered with residents’ annual bills.