Bradford Council has effectively ruled out keeping council tax at current levels, with the authority’s leader saying a rise of 4.99% will be required to safeguard the council’s finances as it exits central support earlier than planned.
Leader: a freeze "is not going to happen"
Speaking at a meeting where he delivered his first leader’s report, Reform UK group leader Stephen Place said he would like to reduce council tax but that financial stability makes a freeze impractical.
"it's not going to happen"
Place highlighted that Bradford is coming off the government’s Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) package two years sooner than expected — a development he described as a positive sign that the council can move towards better financial health.
What the Exceptional Financial Support involved
The EFS scheme allowed the council to borrow to meet day-to-day spending, subject to restrictions intended to reduce long-term borrowing and improve fiscal management. As part of those arrangements, the council was required to dispose of financial assets and to accept specified council tax increases in the coming years.
| Originally estimated EFS need | Revised estimate after government funding boost | Planned end of support |
|---|---|---|
| £570m | £395m | 2028 |
Political arithmetic will determine the budget
Reform UK holds 28 councillors on Bradford’s 90-seat chamber. Budget measures require at least 46 votes to carry, meaning the ruling group will need backing from opposition parties to secure the 2027/28 budget and any planned council tax increase.
- Leader Stephen Place says a 4.99% rise is needed to stabilise finances.
- EFS support is set to end in 2028 following a central government funding boost.
- Reform UK will require cross-party support to approve the forthcoming budget.
The decision not to pursue a freeze will have direct implications for households across Bradford if the proposed increase is adopted as part of the next budget. Residents should expect detailed budget proposals to be published ahead of the formal vote, setting out how the extra income would be allocated and what savings or service changes might accompany the rise.
With the council signalling an earlier exit from EFS, councillors and campaigners will scrutinise the forthcoming financial plans to assess whether the projected improvement in fiscal position is sustainable and what it will mean for local services and council tax payers.
Further council meetings and budget documents will provide the timetable for decisions and the precise figures for the 2027/28 council tax requirement.
