Residents across Cambridgeshire will see an increase in council tax bills from April 2025, with most local authorities implementing a rise to support public services.
The biggest increase comes from Cambridgeshire County Council, which approved a 4.99% hike, partly allocated to adult social care.
While some councils opted to freeze their share of council tax, including East Cambridgeshire District Council and Fenland District Council, most areas will see higher bills.
The changes come amid growing financial pressures on local services, with authorities citing the need to sustain essential provisions such as social care, policing, and fire services.
Cambridgeshire Councils Approve Tax Hikes for 2025/26
Most councils across Cambridgeshire have confirmed increases in council tax for the 2025/26 financial year, with residents facing higher payments depending on their property band and district.
Cambridgeshire County Council, which receives the largest share of the bill, has approved a 4.99% increase, with 2% specifically allocated to adult social care funding, according to CambridgeshireLive.
The £20 million raised by this increase will help maintain services for vulnerable communities. Other councils, including Huntingdonshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, have also increased their tax rates, reflecting ongoing financial strains.
However, not all local authorities have followed this trend. East Cambridgeshire District Council has frozen its share of council tax for the 12th consecutive year, maintaining its existing rate to limit financial burdens on residents.
Similarly, Fenland District Council and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority have chosen to hold rates steady for 2025/26.
Full Breakdown of Council Tax Rates Across Cambridgeshire
Council tax payments are divided into bands (A to H) based on property values, with Band D serving as the national reference point for tax calculations. Lower bands (A to C) pay less, while higher bands (E to H) contribute more to local services.
The following table provides a detailed breakdown of council tax rates for each district in Cambridgeshire for 2025/26:
| Council | Band A | Band B | Band C | Band D | Band E | Band F | Band G | Band H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge City Council | £1,570.27 | £1,831.99 | £2,093.70 | £2,355.41 | £2,878.83 | £3,402.26 | £3,925.68 | £4,710.82 |
| East Cambridgeshire DC | £1,510.28 | £1,761.99 | £2,013.71 | £2,265.42 | £2,768.85 | £3,272.27 | £3,775.70 | £4,530.84 |
| Fenland District Council | £1,585.38 | £1,849.61 | £2,113.84 | £2,378.07 | £2,906.53 | £3,434.99 | £3,963.45 | £4,756.14 |
| Huntingdonshire DC | £1,526.09 | £1,780.44 | £2,034.79 | £2,289.14 | £2,797.84 | £3,306.54 | £3,815.23 | £4,578.28 |
| South Cambridgeshire DC | £1,532.45 | £1,787.86 | £2,043.27 | £2,298.68 | £2,809.50 | £3,320.32 | £3,831.13 | £4,597.36 |
The highest council tax rates are in Cambridge City Council, where Band H residents will pay £4,710.82 annually, while Band A properties will be charged £1,570.27.
In contrast, East Cambridgeshire District Council has the lowest Band A rate at £1,510.28 and the lowest Band H rate at £4,530.84.
These tax increases aim to support essential public services, particularly social care, emergency response, and community infrastructure.
Local councils encourage residents to check their specific rates and potential parish precepts, which may affect final bills, through official council websites.
