The Adult Social Care precept

This year, the government has allowed councils to increase Council Tax by up to 3%.

In addition, councils who are responsible for providing Adult Social Care can increase their Council Tax by a further 2%. This is known as the Adult Social Care precept.

Adult Social Care services support some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, particularly those in old age and adults with disabilities. Social care services also have a significant role to play in supporting the NHS to deliver vital services. In 2025/26 our net budget on Adult Social Care is £215 million (41% of our portfolio revenue budgets).

We are required to spend all Council Tax raised from the Adult Social Care Precept on Adult Social Care. This is checked annually by the government.

The government introduced legislation to combine core Council Tax and the Adult Social Care precept into one line on your bill. The combined increase is 4.99% which is shown as 5.0%. This is below the referendum limit.