Council tax could rise by just under 5% - report

Council tax for people living in Barnsley will go up by just under 5% if the authority's budget proposals for the next financial year are approved.

The planned rise of 4.9% is just shy of the amount councils are allowed to increase the tax by without having to hold a referendum.

If given the go-ahead, the rise would mean residents living in Band D properties would pay an extra £87 per year, with council tax increasing from £1,790.68 to £1,878.42.

It would be made up of a 2% rise to support adult social care, with a further 2.9% to maintain other vital services, which together would address what was now a £15.1m funding gap and ensure essential services could continue, a budget report stated.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the document outlined that the decision to raise council tax, while difficult, was necessary to prevent cuts to services which residents relied on.

The proposals stated that, like many councils across the country, Barnsley faced "significant increases" in the day-to-day running costs of services, including inflationary pressures such as pay rises, energy costs and increased demand for services, particularly adult social care, health and children's services.

Cash-saving measures have already been proposed in the borough, including dimming street lights, increasing the price of staff parking, taking away mobile phones from some staff and councillors, and stopping publishing its Spotlight magazine.

Barnsley Golf Course, currently council-run, could also be transferred as a community asset to save £30,000, while people needing new bins would also be charged for each bin delivered, rather than a flat rate for delivery.

However, according to the budget proposals, the authority also planned to fund a two-year pilot for free bus travel for all children and young people under 18, using £5m from its reserves.

That meant it would be be easier for young residents to access education, work, and social opportunities and would also promote sustainability, the documents stated.

Barnsley Council's 2025-26 budget proposals are due be considered by a meeting of the cabinet on 5 February, before being presented to the full council on 27 February.

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