The Council Tax Setting Committee met on Friday 27 February 2026 to discuss the setting of the council tax for the 2026-27 financial year. The meeting's agenda focused on the proposed council tax increase and the Greater London Authority (GLA) precept.

Setting the Council Tax 2026-27

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the setting of the council tax for the 2026-27 financial year. The report pack indicated that this would involve noting the annual budget for Southwark services, which had been approved by Council Assembly on 25 February 2026. This budget included a proposed 2.99% increase in council tax, alongside a 2% adult social care precept, resulting in a total proposed increase of 4.99%.

The committee was scheduled to consider the Southwark element of the council tax for band D properties, which was proposed to be set at £1,456.75. This figure incorporated the 2.99% local increase and the 2% adult social care precept.

Additionally, the meeting was to note that Council Assembly had approved the continuation of existing local war disability and widow/widowers' schemes for housing benefit into 2026-27. It was also noted that no discount would be applied to properties in the former parish of St. Mary Newington for the upcoming financial year.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) precept level for 2026-27 was also on the agenda, with a figure of £510.51 for band D properties having been agreed by the GLA on 26 February 2026. The committee was to note the total council tax for all property bands as detailed in Appendix C of the report pack. Finally, the committee was to approve the formal resolution for the Southwark council tax, as agreed by Council Assembly on 25 February 2026.

The report pack highlighted that under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, councils are legally required to determine their council tax levels before 11 March each year. Due to the timing of the GLA's precept agreement, a specific council tax setting committee was established by Council Assembly to fulfil this requirement. The report also referenced the public sector equality duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, requiring due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations.

The report also outlined restrictions on voting for members who have council tax arrears outstanding for at least two months, as stipulated by section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This section applies to any matter that could directly or indirectly affect council tax calculations, including decisions on service levels and expenditure.

The urgency for setting the council tax by 28 February 2026 was noted, with the lateness attributed to the GLA precept being set on 26 February 2026.

The meeting's agenda also included standard procedural items such as apologies, confirmation of membership and terms of reference, confirmation of voting members, notification of urgent items, and declarations of interest.