The exact amount of council tax you will pay in Bracknell, Sandhurst and the surrounding villages this year has been revealed.
Each February, the tax levels are set by those authorities that can collect it: the police, the fire and rescue services, town and parish councils and upper tier councils.
The council tax level for Bracknell Forest was set at a full council meeting yesterday (Wednesday, February 22).
Council tax will go up by the maximum amount allowed without having to call an area-wide referendum.
The rise is 4.99 per cent, made up of a 2.99 per cent increase for council services, and two per cent specifically for adult social care.


The council tax varies as parish and town councils in the area set different rates depending on the services they provide.
Bracknell Town Council, for example, is in charge of maintaining parks, play areas and public spaces. It also manages bus shelters, allotments and provides grant funding for charities.
Bracknell town will pay the highest amount of council tax, with the lowest being Warfield.
Residents can benefit from a tax reduction scheme called the Council Tax Support Scheme if they are low income or fit other criteria, such as being in receipt of certain benefits.

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During the meeting where the council’s budget was agreed, it was noted that a respondent to the council’s consultation on the budget was worried that the amount of council tax raised would not be enough to deliver the services it provides.


Councillor Peter Heydon (Conservative, Old Bracknell) executive member for finance and transformation said: “While I make no apology for Bracknell Forest having one of the lowest council tax rates in the country, it is perhaps interesting to note that it is currently around £182 a year below the unitary authority average.


“That equates to an almost £9 million difference in the income we receive.”


Cllr Heydon noted that there were only three responses to the council’s budget consultation, with the other being submitted by cllr Mary Temperton (Great Hollands North) the leader of the opposition.


Cllr Temperton introduced a motion to amend the budget by removing a £41,000 parking infrastructure upgrade, bring forward £20,000 set aside for 2024/5 to upgrade existing surface level car parks, particularly at Great Hollands, and adding £100,000 to parking in housing estates.


She also proposed reducing weed spraying from three times to two times a year, for a saving of £28,000.


However, her motion was defeated by councillors in the ruling Conservative administration.