South Hams families face 2026 Council Tax rise of over £100 per household

Households in the South Hams will pay an average of £123 more in Council Tax in the coming year.

South Hams Council’s tax-setting committee took just three minutes to rubber-stamp the figures, which were compiled in the face of what councillors say is a deliberate government policy targeting rural areas.

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At a previous meeting, members heard that South Hams had received one of the worst financial settlements in the country.

Allowances for rurality, coastal protection, flood management and tourism had all been stripped away, meaning the council would have to increase its share of local Council Tax bills by the maximum allowed 2.99 per cent.

The Council Tax bill for a Band D property in the South Hams will rise from £2,491.75 to £2,615.22 in the coming year, an increase of £123.47, equating to a rise of 4.96 per cent.

A report to the committee pointed out that South Hams Council’s share of the bill has risen by £5.88.

Devon County Council will take an extra £53.91, plus £36 for adult social care.

Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner will take an additional £15 per household, while the fire service will take £5 more.

The average precept from local town and parish councils in the South Hams is £7.68 higher than last year.

Cllr Simon Rake (Lib Dem, Blackawton and Stoke Fleming) said the precept from parishes and towns across the district had fallen in recent years.

“The trend is downwards,” he said.