The Council’s 2026/27 Revenue Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) includes the proposal of a yearly council tax increase to help cover an estimated 22 million pound budget deficit.

The level of 4.99% – just shy of the 5% rate which requires a local referendum – is the same rise which Bury residents faced this financial year (2025/6).

This consists of a 2.99% general increase, and a further increase of 2% as part of the council’s adult social care precept.

While there is no direct confirmation that this rise will occur again in the financial years 2027/8 and 2028/9, the council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy states that it is an “on-going assumption”.

The subsequent effect on residents will vary based on the band of each property, but looking at 2025/6 current council tax rates, residents can expect an increase of approximately £80 to £240 in 2026/7 if the proposal is approved.

This suggestion of further increase has been met with mixed reactions from Bury residents- some of whom are willing to absorb the additional cost, and some who disagree with the way the council spends money.

Life-long Bury resident, John Scott, 66, is unhappy with the proposed 4.99% annual rise, believing that this rise “punishes the residents of the communities”.

“What do we get back? It’s not always clear what we get back for it. I’d like to see more communication from the council for a start. I’d like to see more police activity and for the refuge collections to be more frequent”, he continued.

Other residents, such as Susanna Sewell of Holcombe Brook, are more comfortable with the annual rise, stating that “while no-one likes to see their bills rise, this feels like a moderate increase compared to the rate at which energy bills have risen”.

She added: “In the case of council tax, the additional income for the council goes directly into council services, not to shareholders like gas and electricity increases do”.

This 4.99% council tax rise is not exclusive to Bury Council ; Rochdale Council has also floated the idea of a 2026/7 increase, and is set to approve or reject the measure on the same day Bury Council makes its decision – 25th February 2026.

Other councils under the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have taken a different approach to the matter, with Bolton Council surveying residents for their opinions on a proposed 4.99% council tax rise before pursuing such.

In the survey last month, Bolton Council found that 78% of respondents strongly disagreed with a 4.99% rise in council tax for the 2026/7 financial year.

Despite this, Bolton Council have confirmed that they will continue plans to increase council tax by the proposed amount, ignoring the wishes of residents.

Therefore, while Bury Council may not be alone in its proposed 4.99% council tax rise, a strong opposition from residents can be anticipated.

Bury Council’s response to request for comment:

“Bury Council, like many others, faces tremendous financial challenges. The demand for services, particularly from our most vulnerable residents, continues to rise, as does the cost of providing those services. We are now spending around 70% of our budget on social care for adults and children”.

“No one wants to increase taxes, but this is necessary in order to set a balanced budget, as well as finding millions of pounds in savings”.

“We are determined to protect and improve important services which people rely on, while at the same time regenerating our towns to boost our economy and bring prosperity to future generations.”