Council tax in the South West 2026/27
Across the 27 councils in the South West, the middle Band D bill is £2,495.36 for 2026/27. The cheapest is Isles of Scilly at £2,047.96 and the most expensive Dorset at £2,765.02.
What changed for 2026/27
The biggest rise in the South West was in North Somerset (8.6%), and the smallest in Exeter (4.8%). Most English councils can raise council tax by up to 4.99% a year without a local referendum; a few were allowed more in 2026/27.
Council tax in the South West at a glance
The South West has 27 councils that set council tax: 14 shire districts, 13 unitary councils. 22 of them charge more than the England average Band D of £2,391.52 and 5 charge less. Across 2,721,250 homes, the most common band is B, and 41% of homes are in band A or B. 64% are below Band D, so most households pay less than the Band D figure.
In two-tier areas the district collects the bill but the county council's share is usually the biggest part, with police and fire on top. In 23 of the councils, parish or town councils add their own charge, shown on each council's page.
Every council in the South West
| Council | Band D a year | A month (10) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath and North East Somerset | £2,383.42 | £238.34 | +5.2% |
| Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | £2,435.58 | £243.56 | +7.5% |
| Bristol | £2,713.68 | £271.37 | +5.0% |
| Cheltenham | £2,369.52 | £236.95 | +4.9% |
| Cornwall | £2,590.93 | £259.09 | +5.3% |
| Cotswold | £2,391.65 | £239.17 | +5.0% |
| Dorset | £2,765.02 | £276.50 | +5.1% |
| East Devon | £2,595.46 | £259.55 | +5.5% |
| Exeter | £2,495.36 | £249.54 | +4.8% |
| Forest of Dean | £2,443.42 | £244.34 | +5.0% |
| Gloucester | £2,355.84 | £235.58 | +4.9% |
| Isles of Scilly | £2,047.96 | £204.80 | +5.0% |
| Mid Devon | £2,656.41 | £265.64 | +5.4% |
| North Devon | £2,642.21 | £264.22 | +5.1% |
| North Somerset | £2,491.22 | £249.12 | +8.6% |
| Plymouth | £2,441.85 | £244.19 | +5.0% |
| Somerset | £2,560.59 | £256.06 | +5.0% |
| South Gloucestershire | £2,550.59 | £255.06 | +5.0% |
| South Hams | £2,615.22 | £261.52 | +5.0% |
| Stroud | £2,491.36 | £249.14 | +5.2% |
| Swindon | £2,438.10 | £243.81 | +5.2% |
| Teignbridge | £2,643.12 | £264.31 | +5.2% |
| Tewkesbury | £2,340.53 | £234.05 | +5.1% |
| Torbay | £2,470.25 | £247.03 | +5.1% |
| Torridge | £2,601.42 | £260.14 | +4.9% |
| West Devon | £2,705.33 | £270.53 | +5.1% |
| Wiltshire | £2,571.78 | £257.18 | +5.3% |
Questions
Which council has the lowest council tax in the South West?
Isles of Scilly, where Band D is £2,047.96 a year in 2026/27.
Which council has the highest council tax in the South West?
Dorset, at £2,765.02 for Band D in 2026/27.
What is the most common council tax band in the South West?
Band B: 24% of the 2,721,250 homes. 41% are in band A or B.
Source: Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 25 March 2026. Band D including average parish precepts.