Council taxes have hardly increased in 2010 / 11. That appears to be good news although I’m a bit sceptical about why, just before a General Election. Mustn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
Preston has increased its Band D from £1566 to £1577. Doesn’t sound a big increase but it sounds like a lot of money. Considering it’s a tax paid after tax. Add on your income tax, National Insurance and it really costs around £2000 per household at the mid-band, D. Some houses pay twice that and there are proposals from the Liberal Democrats to add an extra tax for houses over £1m. They also propose a local tax that will get rid of council tax.
Fire and Police are about £200 for all regions of Lancashire.
Preston has its own rate and that is added to Lancashire’s which is £1108, unchanged. Unitary councils like Blackburn have the one rate which at Band D is £1476, up £30 this year. While Blackpool is £1516, up £40.
Other parts of Lancashire like South Ribble pay £1521, Fylde £1486. Although many of the rural villages have Parish Councils that charge up to £30 on top of that.
Overall the people of Preston pay the highest council tax in the region.