Rushcliffe set to freeze Council Tax to remain the lowest in Nottinghamshire and one of the lowest in the country
Last updated: 2/2/2026
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) Council Tax is set to be frozen for 2026/27 and to remain the lowest in Nottinghamshire for its element of the bill, despite a poor financial settlement from central government.
The Council continues to significantly invest in services and assets with over £24m planned over the next five years as it continues to provide excellent services to its residents. Rushcliffe remains one of the few Councils nationally to be debt free so money goes rightfully towards services and not debt repayment.
The authority’s Cabinet will discuss the plans at its meeting on February 10 where it will set out figures which means it’s part of the Council Tax charge could remain in the lowest 25% in the country and again the lowest in the county.
The news comes despite the government’s latest settlement which sees the Council receive 2.46% less of funding until 2028/29 and uncertainty remaining over its future as it awaits the outcome of the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation review.
This will include investment in developing and enhancing equipment and facilities in leisure centres, sports facilities and local parks and open spaces. There will also be match funding for 3G pitches and changing room enhancements for local sports clubs across the Borough.
Leader of the Council Cllr Neil Clarke said: “Good financial management means we can propose a freeze on Council Tax this year.
“Our proposed prudent and well managed balanced budget is mindful of ongoing cost of living challenges for residents and all of this despite a poor settlement from central government which has not rewarded our sound financial management.
“In spite of the poor financial settlement, sensible management of the Council’s finances over many years enables us to make this choice to benefit our residents.
“The Council is delivering an enhanced Simpler Recycling service with kerbside collections for both glass and food planned. The Council through budget efficiencies, keeping other costs down and raising income, will have to meet the enhanced cost of this service.
“The proposed budget also sees a continued focus on carbon reduction and ever greener measures for our projects and assets.”
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance, Transformation and Governance Cllr Davinder Virdi added: “The Council continues to balance the books and is pleased to propose a Council Tax freeze, mindful that this is against a backdrop of decreasing Government grants and ongoing inflationary pressures in the sector.
“Financial pressure that residents face was also a key factor when proposing this budget and particularly freezing Council Tax, thus not increasing the burden regarding cost-of-living challenges.
“However, we are still committed to investing in health and wellbeing infrastructure and our core environmental priorities. This is in the face of real terms reductions in government funding. This Council remains committed to economic growth and ensuring the Borough continues to thrive, and that it remains a great place to live and prosper.
“We face the same risks as any other council but due to astute financial management we are in a relatively stable financial position but cannot be complacent.
“Officers and Councillors continue to prioritise the needs of the local community to identify efficiencies ensuring we can continue to deliver vital services whilst keeping Council Tax the lowest in Nottinghamshire and amongst the lowest in the country in comparison to other district and borough councils.
“We are heading into a period of uncertainty with Local Government Reorganisation but we aim to continue to deliver excellent services and enhancing facilities for residents.”
A Full Council meeting on March 5 will discuss the Cabinet’s proposed outcome on the budget from the February 10 meeting.