Northampton Town Council agree 'small' increase in precept for first time since authority formed

Northampton Town Council (NTC) has voted through a 4.9 per cent increase in its precept charge for residents for 2026/27.

Town councillors approved the increase, which will result in a rise of £2.27 per year for the average Band D property, at its budget full council meeting on Monday, January 26.

The precept is a tax that town and parish councils charge residents living in the parish area to meet their annual budget requirements for service delivery.

Precepts are collected through overall council tax bills, which also consist of charges from West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and a precept for fire and policing services. The town council charge represents around two per cent of the total amount that residents pay.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Les Marriott, chair of the policy and finance committee, said: “This is the first council tax increase we’ve made since the town council was made five years ago.

“This small increase will cover the rising costs of safely delivering the popular community and civic events we organise and support, including Remembrance Sunday, the Fireworks Spectacular, the Diwali Festival, and the Christmas Lights Switch On.

“We believe these events are an important way of celebrating diversity and encouraging inclusion, as well as preserving a sense of civic pride.”

He also referenced other costs to the parish, such as additional funding for the ‘Northampton in Bloom’ floral planters, progressing plans to purchase the Guildhall extension from WNC, and allocating £185,000 to grants for community groups.

Concerns were also raised about the devolution of services from West Northants and the town council having to be prepared to pay to pick up more of its work, such as watering plants in the town centre.

However, Cllr Stephen Hibbert (Conservative, Weston Favell & Abington Ward) said: “I have got no problem with the lines of the budget, but it’s how it’s funded that’s the issue. It’s a tiny increase, just pennies for some households, and I think they would say why are we bothering?

“We have enough rainy day money. The proposal to acquire the Guildhall still seems a long way off. Don’t increase the precept by this petty amount and balance the budget by taking £103k from the general reserves.

“Why can’t we be the only organisation that doesn’t increase council tax for our residents – isn’t that a good message to get across?”

Cllr Marriott replied, saying that the council needs to be prudent and “make sure we have got ourselves covered for any eventuality”.

According to NTC, the total precept charge for 2026/27 on a Band D property will now be set at £51.71, up from £48.78 this year. By comparison, in 2025/26, the national average for a Band D property was £92.22.

The budget was passed, with 13 voting in favour, seven against and one abstention.

WNC requires the precept figure for all town and parish councils in the area by the end of January. It will then set its own budget at a full council meeting on February 26.

Draft budget papers published last month show plans for the unitary authority to raise council tax by the maximum of 4.99 per cent for 2026/27. Residents have until next Tuesday, February 3, to respond to the public consultation on the proposals.