Council Tax Rise Looms as Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Face Major Shake-Up
Big changes could soon hit homes across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough as a government-led- led reorganization may spark a council duty increase.
The proposed restructuring aims to streamline original governance, but it comes with a price tag that could affect thousands of residents.
As the two regions prepare for the formation of new unitary authorities, residents might find their council duty bills shifting up or down, depending on where they live.
Officials say the move is designed to bring “fairness and balance” to local taxation, but for many, it could mean paying more.
Several rate options have been placed on the table. These outline how much each household could be charged once the new system comes into play.
Under one proposed model, Option A, homeowners in Peterborough could see their Band D council tax jump by £216.
An alternate offer, Option D, takes a gentler approach, raising bills by around £31.52, or 1.77, pushing the total periodic cost to £1,780.94, from £1,749.42.
While these figures might feel small, for families formerly facing rising living costs, every pound counts.
Not everyone will be hit by higher payments. In West Huntingdonshire, some households may actually see their council tax bills fall, with possible savings of £85.56.
This variation reflects the current imbalance across the region, where different original authorities have historically set different rates. The new system aims to indeed that, though it could take several times for rates to stabilize completely.
During a council meeting, Emma Riding, the Deputy Chief Finance Officer, prompted members to consider the broader picture before finishing any opinions.
“It’s important that we harmonize council tax rates as soon as possible,” she said.
Riding noted that while a 1.77% increase may seem minor, it is essential for sustainable budgeting in the years ahead.
“We need to ensure financial stability for the future,” she added, calling on councilors to keep long-term resilience in mind.
This potential council tax adjustment is part of a wider transformation in how Cambridgeshire and Peterborough operate at the local level.
The reorganization seeks to simplify overlapping authorities and improve service delivery, but it’s also forcing a rethink of how residents contribute to funding those services.
As local government evolves, so too will the way communities across the region engage with it and pay for it.
