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 Council's Offices: Go Digital, Bring in Mobile Offices and Save Money?

The banks have closed branches across the Highlands and customers have adapted.  With Highland Council facing serious financial pressures, is it time to rethink permanent offices and take council services directly to the people who need them? There was a time when going to the bank meant visiting a branch.  

12/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
The Highland Council is ready for winter - are you?

Highland Council is urging community groups to ‘apply now’ for its Winter Resilience Programme if they want grit bins in their local communities.   The Highland Council’s winter service starts on Wednesday 14 October and the Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,787km of roads for which it has responsibility.  

10/10/2026 : Local Authority

France's Schools Are in Revolt. Is Scotland Any Better?

Class sizes, teacher shortages, school buildings and the pressure on teachers reveal a more complicated picture than politicians' headline figures suggest.   Protests over the state of schools in France have raised questions that parents in Scotland might recognise.  

6/10/2026 : Local Authority

When Tourists Take the Homes: Is Europe Losing Its Housing to Tourism?

Tens of thousands of people have been protesting across Spain over the country's housing crisis, with rapidly rising rents and the growing influence of tourism among their biggest concerns.   The protests came after the Spanish parliament rejected government measures intended to strengthen tenant protection and restrict some forms of short-term rental accommodation.  

5/10/2026 : Local Authority

Still time to return Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council election ballots

Anyone eligible to vote in the contested Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council election is reminded that their postal ballot papers need to be completed and returned in the pre-paid envelope provided by 12 noon on Thursday, 8 October 2026.   Candidates standing were invited to submit a statement to support their candidacy and these statements are provided in the envelopes mailed out along with the ballot papers to all eligible voters.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Julie Calder wins easily for Lib Dems in East Caithnes bi-election

Dave BUCHANAN Independent 714 Julie CALDER Scottish Liberal Democrats Elected Stage 1 1,522 Charlotte GIBSON Scottish Conservative and Unionist 79 John GLEN Scottish National Party (SNP) 424 Iain RICHMOND Reform UK 283# No further preference 0 Remainder not transferred 0 Total 3,022.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council proceeds to procurement for a new electric Corran Ferry

The Highland Council has reached another significant milestone in the delivery of a replacement Corran Ferry, with the procurement for a new electric vessel.   Funded through a £58 million investment from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, including £28 million from the Scottish Government for the new electric vessel, £20 million from the UK Government and £10 million from The Highland Council towards landside infrastructure, the project will deliver a modern replacement ferry service for one of Scotland's busiest single-vessel crossings.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Wick and Thurso Jobs secured and bus services strengthened through D&E Coaches acquisition

Highland Council-owned D&E Coaches has confirmed the acquisition of Stagecoach’s Thurso and Wick bus operation securing local jobs.  This will protect vital services and strengthening public transport provision across the Highlands.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Reforming Scotland’s Councils: Should We Test One Region Before Reorganising Them All?

Scotland is considering one of the biggest changes to local government for a generation.  The Scottish Government has proposed replacing the existing 32 councils with between six and ten regional authorities, alongside somewhere between 120 and 160 community authorities.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scottish Cities Alliance Investment Conference to showcase Highland opportunities

Inverness will welcome government representatives, investors, business leaders and economic development partners later this week as it hosts the Scottish Cities Alliance Autumn Investor Event.  A two-day programme designed to showcase investment opportunities across Inverness, the Highlands and Scotland's city regions.