Council tax freeze proposed by city council

Nottingham City Council is proposing to freeze council tax for the next financial year, it has been announced.

Draft budget documents published on Monday show that, if the plan is approved, the authority's share of bills for an average Band D property would remain at £2,342.08 for 2027-28.

The Labour-run council, which effectively declared itself bankrupt in 2023, said it had made "major improvements" to its finances and received increased funding from central government.

Deputy leader Ethan Radford said it was "only right that those benefits are passed on to the Nottingham taxpayer".

He added: "Freezing council tax will keep millions of pounds in the pockets of Nottingham households at a time when many are struggling with the cost of living.

"While we're confident we can balance the books without increasing council tax, we still want to give residents the option to have their say on if they want us to raise council tax, if so by how much, and how they would like us to use that extra revenue if we were to."

The council said its medium-term financial plan included investment in more community protection officers and extended library opening hours, as well as "significantly reducing council debt".

It follows a 3.5% increase to council tax bills in 2026-27, which was the lowest in 18 years.

The authority also announced in July that it had underspent by £20m in 2025-26.

The proposals are due to be discussed by the council's executive board on 20 October before a six-week public consultation.

The draft budget would then require formal approval at a full council meeting in March.

Kevin Clarke, of the Nottingham Independents and Independent opposition group, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It's obvious why they are doing it; it is the elections the month after.

"At the end of the day, they are politicising it. It is less cost for residents, I am sure they will welcome it.

"But it does put a risk on the council. They might have money to spare this year, but will it be the same in the years ahead?"

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