'Landmark moment' as Harrogate's new town council agrees bigger budget to match its ambitions
Harrogate Town Council has agreed a bigger budget but it can still boast the lowest precept for council tax payers in North Yorkshire.
Last night’s meeting saw councillors agree on a new council tax precept as part of its 2026/27 budget - the first to be fully set by this ambitious town council since it was established.
Hailed by Harrogate’s mayor as a “landmark moment", the agreed precept for 2026/27 of £740,639 equates to an annual charge of £26 for a Band D household.
While the new bigger budget and council tax precept represents an increase of just more than 100%, the council says the charge remains well below the national average town council Band D precept of £92.22 for 2025/26 and is the lowest among precepting town councils in North Yorkshire
Mayor of Harrogate, Chris Aldred, said: “This is a landmark moment for Harrogate Town Council.
"Our first year was about laying solid foundations; this budget enables us to begin delivering visible benefits for residents while remaining financially responsible.
"This budget provides excellent value for money, with investment focused on local priorities and services that matter to our community.
"Residents will continue to pay less than households in comparable towns.”
Harrogate Town Council, which formally came into being in April 2025, operated on a minimal interim budget for 2025/26 set by North Yorkshire Council.
That initial budget was intended to give the new authority time to establish governance arrangements and agree its priorities.
Over the past nine months, councillors have completed a strategic planning process and an Action Plan setting out objectives for the next 18 months and beyond.
The new budget will support spending on community events, allotment improvements, grants to voluntary and community organisations, youth provision, civic responsibilities, partnership working and progress towards securing permanent council offices.
Coun Paula Stott, Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, said: “Our very first operational budget is both thoughtful and prudent and will deliver positive outcomes for Harrogate residents.
"After our increase, Harrogate will still have the lowest precept rate per household of any town council in North Yorkshire.”