Bishop Auckland Town Council has agreed its 2026/27 budget, ensuring continued investment in vital services, community projects, and the town’s future. This includes a modest precept adjustment to maintain and enhance the services to residents.
The increase will mean that a property in Council Tax Band A, (59.9% of all properties in the Bishop Auckland Town Council area) will pay £99.38 per year, an increase of £2.22 per month. This adjustment allows the Council to:
- Enhance allotment and environmental services
- Deliver vibrant community events and town centre floral displays
- Strengthen financial resilience for future improvements
- Invest in new projects and service transformation
Alongside this, the Council is committed to maximising fundraising opportunities through measures such as boundary reviews, rent reviews, and increased hire of council managed spaces, ensuring they make the most of every resource to benefit the community.
Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr Sam Zair said: “This decision wasn’t taken lightly, we understand the financial pressures residents face, and this decision was made carefully. This small increase ensures we can continue supporting local organisations, delivering popular events, and maintaining services that make Bishop Auckland a great place to live. Even with this adjustment, our precept remains lower than neighbouring councils, offering value for money. ”
“Over 35% of the Council’s budget directly benefits community services, events, and support programmes. In 2025, we successfully took on responsibility for town centre floral displays, bringing colour and pride to our streets. The Council funds and supports a variety of provision, including youth services, advice sessions, and crisis support, and we’ll continue expanding environmental projects and community initiatives in 2026/27.”
The Town Councill be consulting on their 2026–2031 Council Strategy in the late spring and they will be seeking the input of residents. For more information, on the work of the council, and the services and events it delivers please visit www.bishopauckland-tc.gov.uk
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
