Council tax and service tax rises come into force

Council tax in Bristol increased by 4.99%

Residents are paying more for council services as they enter the new financial year.

Council tax increases came into force on Monday as authorities struggle to balance their books following rising costs.

Bristol City Council, Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire Council all increased taxes by 4.99%, with 2% going towards social care.

Meanwhile, North Somerset Council agreed a 4.98% rise.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the total bill for band D households in Bristol has risen by about £115 from £2,345.24 to £2,460.42 including precepts by Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime commissioner, which is 4.88% or about £13 for band D residents, a 2.99% hike from the Avon Fire Authority.

Tax for band B residents is rising by nearly £90 from £1,824.08 to £1,913.60.

Other bands range from the lowest band A, increasing by £76.71 to £1,640.20, to Band H, which is up by £230.16 to £4,920.64.

Council tax increases are coming into effect

'Double cost for garden waste removal'

Bristol's council tenants will also pay more, with increases to service charges for council homes and a 7.7% increase to rents from an average weekly cost of £90.76 to £97.75.

For South Gloucestershire residents - on top of higher charges for 2024/25, there are 50 parish and town councils that each levy their own precepts for local services, such as Christmas tree lights.

For band D the lowest charge area is in Tortworth, where bills are a total of £2,182.39 compared with the highest in Filton, where band D households will pay £2,501.91.

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Residents in South Gloucestershire will also pay double for annual household garden waste, which has increased from £30 to £60.

However, there will still be a 50 per cent discount for residents on low incomes.

The cost of burial rights at cemeteries in South Gloucestershire Council area are also going up by 20%.

A review found the authority only charged for 35 years, whereas other local authorities had longer periods, so it is now extending the term to 60 years and raising its fee.

South Gloucestershire Council is planning to introduce charges at council-run car parks and on-street bays for the first time

Although subject to further work and not coming into force yet, the authority is also expected to introducing parking charges at council-run car parks and on-street bays for the first time.

It is estimated the plans will raise an estimated £1.5million, which the council said would help to protect public services.

There will also be a new £10 admin charge every three years for blue badge holders in the district, which has been criticised by disability campaigners.

The council said increasing its fee brings it into the line with other areas.

Meanwhile, a decision by Bristol City Council's cabinet in January will more than triple the cost of a Residents' Parking Zone permit from £56 a year to £178.

It is not clear when this new permit charge will be introduced, with much of it subject to statutory consultation for a change in traffic regulations.

The council said the aim was to reduce car travel and use the increased spending to help fund public transport, walking and cycling.

In February, opposition Conservatives struck a deal with Bristol's Labour mayor Marvin Rees to approve his final budget on condition that proposed new charges at district car parks were delayed until 2025.