23/04/2026
East Cambridgeshire DC has recorded its 13th consecutive council tax freeze this financial year. Its average tax for a Band D property has remained unchanged at £142.14 since 2012-2014.
Anna Bailey (Con), leader of East Cambridgeshire, told LGC this was down a series of reasons, including the council’s lack of external borrowing, homelessness prevention taking away the need for temporary accommodation spending, local investment, and a flat management structure. She added that funding income increases from business rates linked to renewable energy schemes had also offset cost pressures.
Despite this, Cllr Bailey, said: “While council tax has been kept steady this year, this is not due to a reduction in cost pressures. In fact, the budget reflects a significant increase in underlying expenditure, with net operating expenditure rising from £14.3m to £16.9m – an increase of £2.6m.”
She added: “This is driven by a combination of inflationary pressures, service demand, and the loss or reduction of key funding streams such as new homes bonus and other government grants.”
This year is the first of a three-year funding settlement for councils, where allocations were decided after the fair funding review.
Excerpt from Local Government Chronicle, 22 April 2026
