Council Tax

What is Council Tax?

Council Tax helps to pay for the essential local services that we provide. This includes looking after the young and old, and providing day-to-day services such as collecting the bins, running parks, libraries and leisure centres, and looking after roads, pavements and street lighting.

Part of your Council Tax goes towards the police, fire and rescue services, The Environment Agency and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA).

These organisations set their own charges, which we collect on their behalf. These are shown on your bill as 'precepts'.

How does it work?

Council Tax is charged on most homes, whether rented or owned, lived in or not. The amount you pay depends on the property's valuation band and your household circumstances.

The Council Tax charged on a property is in two parts: 50% is associated with the property and 50% reflects the occupants or owners of the property.

We send you a bill every March and this will show the names of the people we believe are legally responsible to pay the bill.

If more than one person is responsible for paying the bill, each person will be liable for the whole amount, not just a share of it. This is called joint and several liability.

So, if two people are responsible, and one doesn’t pay their share, the other person will be liable to pay the full amount.

How much is Council Tax in 2026-27?

This year, our Council Tax has increased by 4.99%. The exact amount you pay is shown on your bill and includes any discounts or exemptions that apply.

Valuation bands and charges

Every home is placed into a valuation band (A-H) by the Valuation Office Agency. These bands are based on what your property was worth on 1st April 1991.

The amount you pay is your band charge plus the precepts for police, fire and the LCRCA.

Charges for 2026-27
Band Council Police Fire LCRCA Total
A £1,502.91 £195.98 £67.50 £16.00 £1,782.39
B £1,753.40 £228.64 £78.75 £18.67 £2,079.46
C £2,003.88 £261.31 £90.00 £21.33 £2,376.52
D £2,254.37 £293.97 £101.25 £24.00 £2,673.59
E £2,755.34 £359.30 £123.75 £29.33 £3,267.72
F £3,256.31 £424.62 £146.25 £34.67 £3,861.85
G £3,757.28 £489.95 £168.75 £40.00 £4,455.98
H £4,508.74 587.94 £202.50 £48.00 £5,347.18
Percentage 84.32% 11% 3.79% 0.90% 100%

If you think your property is in the wrong band, you can challenge it through the Valuation Office Agency.

Precepting authorities information

Ways to pay

You can pay your Council Tax in several ways, including Direct Debit, online, or by phone. See the different ways to pay your Council Tax.  

Go paperless

You can sign up for e-billing, so you get your bill by email instead of through the post.

Difficulty paying?

If you're struggling to pay, contact us early to discuss support options. Failure to pay without contacting us will result in recovery action. See our problems paying section for advice and guidance or check if you are eligible for any discounts or exemptions.

Appeals

If you believe you are not the person liable to pay Council Tax, or think you have had an exemption or discount incorrectly applied, you can appeal.

You must do this in writing and include reasons and evidence. We have two months to review your case and respond with next steps.