Final 2026/27 council tax bills for Cannock Chase approved following criticism

Cannock Chase Council agreed a 2.99% increase at a meeting earlier this month, while the precepts paid for police and fire services will go up by more than 5% each.

But it was Staffordshire County Council that came under fire from Labour and Conservative members of the district council at their meeting on Wednesday (February 25), where the council tax resolution was passed by just three votes. In total 15 councillors voted in favour, while 12 abstained.

The county authority, which is now run by a Reform UK administration following elections last May, agreed to increase its council tax by 3.99% earlier this month. This rise was lower than the 4.99% increases seen in recent years under the county council’s previous Conservative administration however.

Green group leader Councillor Andrea Muckley, who abstained from voting on the council tax resolution at Wednesday’s meeting, said: “I just don’t feel we should vote to increase (Cannock Chase Council’s tax) by 2.99% when residents are struggling financially – it’s not right. This has an impact on our residents and I can’t vote for something that is going to make our residents poorer.”

Conservative opposition group leader Olivia Lyons, who also abstained in the vote, said: “Two weeks ago Labour passed a budget for the year ahead which included a 2.99% increase. We didn’t support the budget – we put forward an alternative budget.

“At Staffordshire County Council Reform members supported an even larger increase of 3.99%. Let us remember nine months ago, one of our district councillors delivered leaflets in Hednesford promising to cut council tax.

“These aren’t vague aspirations – they’re clear commitments and they are promises to the residents I serve, residents everyone serves. I have been sent a message by a resident who feels completely misled.

“I am going to ask Councillor (Paul) Jones directly – will you support the proposed increase or will you oppose it? I have previously raised concerns that you have failed to put forward an alternative budget.”

Councillor Paul Jones, who became Cannock Chase Council’s first Reform UK member last year as well as being elected onto the county council, responded that there were just two members of the party currently sitting on the district authority, as well as speaking of the likelihood any alternative budget they put forward would have been rejected by the wider council. He went on to abstain during the council tax resolution vote too.

He said: “Residents deserve more clarity than they are currently being given. Can the council set out in plain terms how this year’s council tax has been calculated and explain what measurable actions are being taken to minimise waste, to ensure residents are receiving value for every pound they are being asked to pay?”

Labour council leader Steve Thornley said Cannock Chase had proposed “one of the cheapest increases across the country, not like Kent under Reform”. He added: “The bill put on us by the county council is huge, after all the promises, all the leaflets and all the statements they made.

“Also the Police Commissioners’ (increase) is not a cheap option. We get 13% of the total council tax collected – the rest gets dispersed amongst other organisations.

“Because of the decisions we have made, the council is in a stronger situation than it has been for many years. For the first time we are able to take a breath, economically and financially – that didn’t come easily but we as a Labour group have had good fiscal management over the last two years.”

How much Cannock Chase District residents in Band D properties will pay in council tax in 2026/27

• Cannock Chase District Council: £258.81 (2.99% increase)

• Staffordshire County Council: £1,686.42 (3.99% increase)

• Staffordshire Police: £302.57 (5.22% increase)

• Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service: £96.77 (5.22% increase)

Residents living in Cannock Town do not pay an additional precept to a town or parish council, as it is an “unparished” area. However, residents living in Rugeley, Hednesford or a village will pay a precept to that town or parish council.

Residents living in a Band A, B or C property will pay less than the Band D bill. But residents living in a property with a higher band than D will pay more than the Band D bill.