Council Tax is one of the most visible local household costs, but the bill residents receive in Cambridge funds more than Cambridge City Council alone.
For 2026/27, Cambridge City Council lists a Band D Council Tax charge of £2,467.02. Band A is £1,644.68, while Band H is £4,934.04. The amount depends on the property’s valuation band, which is based on its estimated open-market value on 1 April 1991.
Who receives Council Tax revenue?
A Cambridge household’s bill includes funding for different public bodies, including Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and other relevant local authorities or services. This matters because responsibilities are divided between organisations.
The city council is responsible for services such as waste collection, housing and some local environmental functions, while the county council carries major responsibilities including adult social care, children’s services and highways.
That division can make debates about Council Tax confusing. A rise in the total bill should not automatically be attributed to one council without checking the breakdown.
Why the bands still use 1991 values
Properties in England remain assigned to Council Tax bands based on 1991 values. Cambridge City Council does not determine a property’s band; that process is handled through the national valuation system.
The age of the valuation base is one reason Council Tax is frequently debated as a policy issue. Current market prices in Cambridge are far removed from 1991 values, but a home’s modern sale price does not directly determine its annual Council Tax band.
Discounts and support can change the final bill
The headline charge is not necessarily what every household pays. A single adult living alone can usually receive a 25% discount, while other discounts, exemptions and Council Tax support may apply depending on household circumstances.
Residents should therefore use the council’s current guidance rather than relying on generic national examples when checking what they owe.
For Cambridge households, Council Tax is best understood as part of the wider local-government funding system rather than as a simple fee for rubbish collection. It helps finance services whose costs and demand vary significantly, particularly social care and other statutory responsibilities.