The amount of Council Tax Harlow residents will pay for the next year has been set.
Council Tax pays for services provided by Harlow Council, Essex County Council, Essex Police and Essex Fire & Rescue Service.
From 1 April 2021 the overall bill will increase by 1.88% which on a Band C home in Harlow is an extra £31.41 a year. The increase for a Band C home is made up of the following:
- Harlow Council will increase its share by £5.01 a year, which is an extra 10p a week.
- Essex County Council will increase the adult social care precept of the bill by £17.60 a year which is an extra 34p a week.
- The Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex will increase Essex Police’s share by £8.80 a year which is an extra 17p a week.
- Essex Fire & Rescue Service share will be frozen at the current level.
What residents will pay from 1 April 2021:
| Band | Essex County Council share | Harlow Council share | Essex Police share | Essex Fire & Rescue share | Total Bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | £893.94 | £192.60 | £139.02 | £49.26 | £1,274.82 |
| B | £1,042.93 | £224.70 | £162.19 | £57.47 | £1,487.29 |
| C | £1,191.92 | £256.80 | £185.36 | £65.68 | £1,699.76 |
| D | £1,340.91 | £288.90 | £208.53 | £73.89 | £1,912.23 |
| E | £1,638.89 | £353.10 | £254.87 | £90.31 | £2,337.17 |
| F | £1,936.87 | £417.30 | £301.21 | £106.73 | £2,762.11 |
| G | £2,234.85 | £481.50 | £347.55 | £123.15 | £3,187.05 |
| H | £2,681.82 | £577.80 | £417.06 | £147.78 | £3,842.46 |
New Council Tax bills will go out next month. Although Harlow Council collects Council Tax and issues bills it only keeps £15 of every £100 collected. The rest is split between Essex County Council, Essex Police and Essex Fire & Rescue Service.
Help with Council Tax bills
Residents can pay their bill over 12 months between April and March rather than over 10 months.
Harlow Council can provide help to residents struggling to pay Council Tax. For those on a low income, you may be able to apply for Council Tax Support. This is not included in Universal Credit, so residents will need to apply for support separately. Residents already receiving Council Tax Support and need extra help with Council Tax, may be able to apply for an exceptional hardship payment at Council Tax discounts for people
As well as these statutory discounts, the council also has discretionary powers to reduce Council Tax. For more information on this read the discretionary reduction in liability policy at Council Tax discounts for people
Council Tax accounts can be managed online including signing up for a paperless bill. Visit https://selfserve.harlow.gov.uk and click on My Accounts