At the Full Council Meeting of Surrey Heath Borough Council on 18 February, Members set the budget and Council Tax for 2026/27.
Surrey Heath Borough Council collects Council Tax from just over 39,000 households within Surrey Heath on behalf of local authorities in our area.
Of the total collected, 74% goes to Surrey County Council, 13% to the Police, and 3% to Parish Councils. Only 10% stays with Surrey Heath Borough Council, helping to fund a wide range of services and support our local communities.
It was agreed that Surrey Heath Borough Council’s share of residents’ Council Tax bills will increase by £7.65 per year for a Band D property from April, equivalent to around just 15p per week. This is an increase of 2.99%.
The total bill (excluding parish demands) for an average Band D home will rise by 4.7% from £2,439.20 to £2,553.93 for the year.
From the total bill of an average Band D house:
- Surrey County Council and Surrey Fire and Rescue will receive £1,938.42
- Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner will be given £352.57 to fund Surrey Police
- Surrey Heath Borough Council will keep £262.93
Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council Cllr Shaun Macdonald said: “Over the past year, we have taken decisive action and delivered a major transformation programme.
“To strengthen our finances and protect essential services, we identified nearly £3 million in savings. This represents 19% of the direct cost of services. These savings have been achieved through improved efficiency, tighter financial controls, and maximising income from core services and assets.
“As a result, our financial position has been transformed. Previously, our earmarked usable reserves were forecast to run out within the next year due to the historic property purchases, increasing the risk of government intervention and potentially double-digit council tax rises like Woking.
“Our latest projections now show reserves lasting into 2027/28 allowing a more stable financial outlook to transfer into the new West Surrey Council.
“Council Tax plays a vital role in funding most of the services we provide for residents, alongside central government grants which are reducing substantially in the years ahead, and our locally retained share collected business rates.
“In 2026/27, Surrey Heath will retain £1.5 million, equivalent to just 2.8% of all business rates collected locally.
“We only keep 10% of your total Council Tax bill in Surrey Heath - equivalent to around £263 a year for an average Band D property.
“As part of our commitment to responsible local government, we have frozen councillor allowances, ensuring that public funds are used wisely while we focus on delivering real improvements for our community.
“As we move into 2026/27, the council continues to deliver essential services and facility improvements for Surrey Heath residents as cost-efficiently as possible.”
Following the Annual Plan for 2026-7 being approved, Cllr Macdonald added:
“We are looking forward to this coming year – we have important improvement projects to complete including multiple playground refurbishments, including in partnership with Accent at Avenue Sucy, and exciting new leisure facilities including a new skate park and padel courts.
“There are key infrastructure upgrades planned in Camberley town centre as part of the regeneration programme, and car park and access road resurfacing in Lightwater Country Park and Frimley Lodge Park, both still free at the point of use. The new St Catherine’s Country Park SANG will also come to fruition.
“We are also preparing for change following the Government’s decision to create West Surrey Council, replacing the current two-tier local government system.
“We are positively engaging throughout the transition to ensure the new arrangements best support local decision-making, protect community interests, and maintain the high-quality services our residents expect and deserve.
“We will continue to work closely with partners in our community to help make Surrey Heath a safe, welcoming, green and fair place for all to live, work, play and learn.
“As we approach the end of the Surrey Heath Borough Council’s 52-year history, we are determined to make this final year count, and bring positive change, action and support to the communities that we serve.”
Anyone struggling to pay their Council Tax should contact Surrey Heath Borough Council to discuss the ways in which we can help.