Bristol Voters Decide Council Tax Increase in September Referendum

Bristol City Council has placed a ballot measure before voters on 10 September that would authorise an increase in council tax to cover rising costs for adult social care and local park upkeep. The measure applies to all properties within the city boundary and would affect the annual bills sent to roughly 200,000 households.

Why the vote is scheduled now

The council faces higher contract prices for care services and maintenance after the 2025-26 budget settlement. Policy analysts note that the referendum follows the requirement in the Local Government Finance Act for public approval of tax rises above the standard cap. Community groups in areas such as Easton and Southville have held meetings to review the draft wording circulated by the council in May.

Local advocates note that the outcome will set the amount added to each council tax bill from April 2027 onward. Residents in Band C properties would see the largest absolute change because that band covers the highest number of homes in Bristol. The legislation states that any approved increase must be applied uniformly across all valuation bands.

Expected steps after the vote

If approved, the council will incorporate the new rate into the 2027-28 budget papers published in February. The government says the policy will produce additional revenue that must be ring-fenced for the named services. If rejected, the council will operate within the existing cap and will report revised spending plans to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities by the end of October.

The Productivity Commission has found in similar English cities that such referendums produce turnout between 28 and 35 percent. Bristol residents can check their polling station location on the council website from 1 August. Ballot papers will list only the single question on the tax adjustment.