Estimating Council Tax For Highland Council in 2026/27 Plus Already Agreed Water Charge

24th February 2026

As of late February 2026, The Highland Council hasn't yet officially announced a specific council tax increase level for the 2026-27 financial year, and there's no widely reported draft percentage figure like some other Scottish councils have published. However, there are indications and discussions that give a sense of the thinking ahead of the formal budget decision.

Current Public Position

Highland Council has been engaging with the public as part of its budget process for 2026/27, highlighting a significant budget gap and seeking views on priorities and how to close that gap — including income options such as council tax and other charges.

This engagement exercise suggests councillors are considering all options to balance the budget, but there's no definitive proposed percentage rise publicly released yet ahead of the formal budget meeting scheduled for early March 2026 (when the council normally agrees its tax rate).

Indicative Figures from Council Papers

Draft budget documents produced by the council include indicative council tax charges for 2026/27 showing a projected increase of around 7% across valuation bands, compared with the 2025/26 level. These figures appear in the Highland Council's medium-term budget planning papers, suggesting a 7 % indicative rise.

The table on this page is an indicative estimate based on information available.
The water charge is as already announced.
Water charges are rising significantly in 2026-27 compared with 2025-26 — e.g., Band D combined charges go from £600.39 to £652.32.

What This Means

The 7 % figure in the council's internal planning papers is indicative, not final and is effectively a working assumption used in modelling rather than a formal decision.

Example Summary (Band D)

2025-26 total bill: £1,957.80
2026-27 total bill (est): £2,104.75
Increase: £146.95 per year (£12 a month)
Approx % total rise: 7.5%

Highland Council still needs to agree its final tax level in its full budget meeting, and that could be higher or lower depending on final funding settlement and council priorities.

When a Decision Is Expected

The council sets the final council tax level for the coming year in March, at its annual budget meeting. So a formal announcement on 2026-27 tax levels including any increase will likely emerge at a Special Meeting of Highland Council meeting on 4th March 2026.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

 
Highland's Growth Ambitions: Billions in Investment Promised, But Can the Numbers Really Add Up?

Highland Council has set out an ambitious vision for the economic future of the Highlands, with the possibility of attracting between £10 billion and £16 billion of public and private investment over the next 25 years.   On paper, it is an impressive prospect.  

Today : Local Authority

Caithness Committee approves six Community Regeneration Fund applications - £237,155

The Caithness Area Committee which met (Monday 2 November 2026) has approved six applications submitted to the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF).   This approval securing significant investment to support local projects that will benefit communities across the north.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness at the Sharp End: Broadband, Buses and Public Services Under Pressure

From the loss of a direct bus link to Inverness to uncertainty over rural broadband, a difficult council budget and the future of community organisations, the past week has provided plenty for Caithness residents to think about.  But there have also been celebrations, local achievements and signs of community spirit.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Faces a £39.2 Million Budget Gap: Will Council Taxpayers and Services Pay the Price?

Highland Council is facing another difficult financial challenge, with councillors being told that a further £39.2 million in savings must be found over the next three years to balance the authority's finances.   The announcement, made at the full council meeting on 29 October 2026, represents a substantial deterioration in the financial outlook.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Visitor Levy Consultation In-person Events Announced

Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are encouraged to continue to take part in a series of public engagement events to learn more about the proposed Highland Visitor Levy and how they can contribute to the statutory public consultation.   In addition to the online webinars held earlier in the process, a programme of in-person events will continue throughout November.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Highland Council agrees budget engagement programme

Members of the public, community groups, the business sector and young people will be invited to share their views on how The Highland Council balances its budget and plans spend over the next three years.   The Council needs to find £39.2 million of additional savings over the next three years to deliver a balanced financial plan, driven largely by the impact of rising costs and the ongoing impact of wider economic events.  

29/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Hidden Cost of a 1% Capital Budget Cut: Could Scotland's Schools, Roads and Highland Investment Plans Be Affected?

The Chancellor's decision to reduce departmental capital budgets by 1% could have consequences well beyond Westminster.  Scotland faces a reduction in capital funding, while Highland Council is embarking on a £2.1 billion investment programme that includes a proposed £100 million education campus in Thurso.  

28/10/2026 : Local Authority

When Fuel Prices Rise, Who Pays the Bill for Public Services?

Councils, the NHS and other public bodies face a difficult choice when rising diesel and energy costs threaten the contractors they depend on.  School transport in rural Scotland illustrates the problem.  

27/10/2026 : Local Authority

Gaelic Spending Under Scrutiny: Can Highland Council Afford Another Post While Jobs Are Under Pressure?

The council has legal responsibilities to support Gaelic, but with budgets stretched and services facing difficult choices.  Residents are entitled to ask how priorities are decided across the Highlands.  

24/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Libraries, Leisure Centres and Local Culture Face Growing Pressure as Council Charges Rise

Audit Scotland warns that cuts to community services could deepen inequalities, while councils lack the evidence to measure the full consequences.   Scotland’s councils are spending less on culture and leisure services while asking the public to pay more to use them, raising questions about the future of libraries, swimming pools, sports facilities, museums and other important parts of community life.