Hertfordshire households are days away from a higher council tax bill.
Rates are going up in all boroughs and districts throughout the county – with hikes also agreed at Hertfordshire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office.
All of Hertfordshire’s councils have agreed balanced budgets, but with inflation at 10.4 per cent in February, according to the latest figures, some authorities have had to make cuts or raise fees and charges to balance their books – a legal requirement.
Hertfordshire County Council
Herts County Council voted to increase its share of council tax by 4.99 per cent, which means an average-value Band D household will contribute £1,605.63 to the council coffers in the new financial year, which begins in April.
“In financial terms, the council has exhausted all options to help protect services,” the authority’s budget report noted.
The county council has agreed savings worth an estimated £27.4million for the new financial year, but has been able to invest in key services – including an extra £19m for its Ofsted “outstanding”-rated Children’s Services, £6.4m to ensure no waste goes to landfill from 2024, and £38m to raise adult social care staff pay by 9.68 per cent.
Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner
Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd has agreed an average tax hike of £15 on a Band D property – with bills rising from £223 to £238 per year.
His office said the amount which Mr Lloyd levies is the fifth-lowest in the country and will “enable the constabulary to maintain Hertfordshire’s largest ever police force”.
Our boroughs and districts
Boroughs and districts set their own council tax rates and run rate reduction schemes for people who need a little extra help.
Taking into account all of the new charges – but excluding parish, town and other authority precepts – here is a breakdown of how much council tax you will have to pay this coming year.
North Herts
The bill for Band D households in North Herts will be £2,096.09 in 2023/24, excluding parish and town council precepts.
There are no town councils in Baldock, Hitchin or Letchworth.
For this part of the bill, council tax for Band D rate payers will rise £98.65 year-on-year, up from £1,997.44.
Band A: £1,397.40
Band B: £1,630.29
Band C: £1,863.20
Band D: £2,096.09
Band E: £2,561.89
Band F: £3,027.69
Band G: £3,493.49
Band H: £4,192.18
St Albans
The bill for Band D households in St Albans City will be £2,055.51 in 2023/24. The amount on taxpayers’ bills in parished areas of the district, including Harpenden, will vary.
For this part of the bill, council tax for Band D rate payers will rise £94.55 year-on-year, up from £1,960.96.
Band A: £1,370.34
Band B: £1,598.73
Band C: £1,827.12
Band D: £2,055.51
Band E: £2,512.29
Band F: £2,969.08
Band G: £3,425.85
Band H: £4,111.02
Stevenage
The bill for Band D households in Stevenage will be £2,075.94 in 2023/24.
There are no parish councils in this borough.
This means council tax for Band D rate payers will rise £98.06 year-on-year, up from £1,977.88.
Band A: £1,383.96
Band B: £1,614.62
Band C: £1,845.29
Band D: £2,075.94
Band E: £2,537.26
Band F: £2,998.59
Band G: £3,459.90
Band H: £4,151.88
Welwyn Hatfield
The bill for Band D households in Welwyn Hatfield will be £2,060.17 in 2023/24, excluding parish and town council precepts.
For this part of the bill, council tax for Band D rate payers will rise £98.66 year-on-year, up from £1,961.51.
Band A: £1,373.45
Band B: £1,602.35
Band C: £1,831.27
Band D: £2,060.17
Band E: £2,517.99
Band F: £2,975.81
Band G: £3,433.62
Band H: £4,120.34
Dacorum
The bill for Band D households in Dacorum will be £2,066.26 in 2023/24, excluding parish and town council precepts.
There is no parish or town council in Hemel Hempstead.
For this part of the bill, council tax for Band D rate payers will rise £97.59 year-on-year, up from £1,968.67.
Band A: £1,377.51
Band B: £1,607.09
Band C: £1,836.68
Band D: £2,066.26
Band E: £2,525.43
Band F: £2,984.61
Band G: £3,443.77
Band H: £4,132.52
Hertsmere
The bill for Band D households in Hertsmere will be £2,026.64 in 2023/24, excluding parish and town council precepts.
For this part of the bill, council tax for Band D rate payers will rise £96.82 year-on-year, up from £1,930.01.
Band A: £1,351.10
Band B: £1,576.27
Band C: £1,801.47
Band D: £2,026.64
Band E: £2,477.01
Band F: £2,927.38
Band G: £3,377.74
Band H: £4,053.28
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