Parish council tax charges for 2026/27 show significant variation across Bedford borough, with some villages charging more than seven times as much as others for a Band D property.
Bedford Borough Council’s Council Tax Resolution, approved at Full Council on 25 February, confirms that parish precepts will total £2.61 million this year – up from £2.49 million in 2025/26, an increase of 4.93 per cent.
The average Band D parish charge across parished areas will be £62.69, compared to £60.34 last year.
However, the figures show wide local differences.
Among the highest Band D parish charges for 2026/27 are:
- Stewartby & Kempston Hardwick – £157.53
- Harrold – £145.12
- Bletsoe – £120.86
At the lower end of the scale:
- Renhold – £21.38
- Great Denham – £24.71
- Ravensden – £33.33
In some unparished areas, no parish precept is payable.
Funding local services
A spokesperson for Stewartby & Kempston Hardwick Parish Council said: “As in previous years, the parish council has taken great care and
consideration in setting a precept that both meets the needs of the village and represents fair value for its residents.
“Last year, despite significant increases in employee costs arising from nationally agreed pay awards, together with rises in National Insurance contributions, the council limited the increase to just 1 per cent.
“This was substantially below the increases implemented by the majority of other councils.
“Regrettably, this year a larger increase is necessary. Ongoing growth in staffing costs, rising contractor charges, ageing village infrastructure and the need to repair and maintain play equipment that has been subject to vandalism have all placed additional financial pressures on the council.
“In order to continue delivering essential services and maintaining village facilities to an appropriate standard, an increase in the precept is therefore required.
“The council remains committed to careful financial management and to delivering the best possible value for residents.”
Parish precepts are set independently by town and parish councils and fund local services such as community centres, recreation grounds, village halls, cemeteries, local events and in some cases staffing or neighbourhood initiatives.
While Bedford Borough Council collects the tax, it has no role in determining the level set by individual parish councils.
The borough’s overall average Band D council tax bill, including borough, police, fire and parish elements, will rise to £2,471.74 in 2026/27, but the parish portion varies significantly depending on where residents live.
Renhold and Great Denham parish councils were approached for a comment on their precepts, but did not respond at the time of publication.
Parish councils are required to set their precepts by 1 March each year.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
