BCP asks Government to raise tax referendum cap

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has approached the Government over increasing its council tax by more than 4.99% without a referendum.

Its rates could increase by a reported 7.4%, should the council press ahead with the proposals.

BCP has been grappling with closing a budget gap for 2026-27 that was projected to be £8.2m in the last update to cabinet members in December.

The figure includes savings of £12.2m planned for the coming financial year, such as seeking voluntary redundancies.

Last month the Government announced that the council tax referendum cap will be temporarily removed for six authorities: Westminster City Council, City of London Council, Windsor and Maidenhead BC and Wandsworth, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Kensington & Chelsea LBCs.

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Photo: diego_torres