27/02/2026
New Forest District Council sets Council Tax rates for 2026/27
New Forest District Council (NFDC) have set their portion of the 2026/27 Council Tax at £211.92 per year, per household (for a Band D property) at their Full Council meeting on Thursday 26 February 2026.
The £6.15 a year increase is a 2.99% rise on the 2025/26 Council Tax.
Hampshire County Council, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, and New Forest town and parish councils have also set their amounts for the 2026/27 Council Tax bill. The average* amount for a Band D property in the district, will be £2,419.76 for the year.
(*Town/Parish council contributions vary in different areas so the average for a Band D property will differ slightly depending on the town or parish council ward the property sits in. The Lyndhurst increase for 26/27 is 32p for the year for a band D property).
The full report that set the Council Tax can be read on our website at https://democracy.newforest.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=193&MId=8174
The different amounts making up the total bill, for an average Band D property are:
* Hampshire County Council £1,690.11 an increase of £80.28 (4.99%)
* New Forest District Council £211.92, an increase of £6.15 (2.99%)
* Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire £290.46, an increase of £15 (5.45%)
* Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service £92.84, an increase of £5.00 (5.69%)
* Town and Parish Council average £134.43, an increase of £9.96 (8.00%). The Lyndhurst increase for 26/27 is 32p for the year for a band D property
For every £1 paid in Council Tax, NFDC keeps 9p which goes towards funding a variety of local services including supporting people at risk of becoming homeless, waste and recycling collections, caring for the coastline and public open spaces, and supporting local businesses.
In a speech at the Council meeting, Leader of the Council, Cllr Jill Cleary said:
“A clear priority of ours is to try and keep council tax increases as low as possible. We have done our bit and have imposed by far the lowest Council Tax percentage increase of all the precepting authorities on the Council Tax bill.
“It’s easy for forget that this council’s Council Tax share only equates to around 9% of the overall bill. We play an important role in collecting the council tax for the County Council, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue service, and the Town and Parish Councils.”
“Our share for the year at £211.92 for a band D property continues to represent excellent value for money at just £4 per week.”
NFDC are advising people who may have difficulty paying Council Tax to contact them straight away to see what help and support is available.
As part of the Council meeting, NFDC also confirmed its Medium-Term Financial Plan and Annual Budget, General Fund revenue and budgets, Council Tax level, and Housing Revenue Account Budget, for 2026 to 2027.
Information on Council Tax, including how to pay, discounts and exemptions, and support available can be found on the council’s website at https://www.newforest.gov.uk/counciltax
For further support, residents can email [email protected] or call our customer services team.
