Politics
Berwick Voters Decide October Levy Referendum; Council Tax Changes Begin April 2027
The measure would add an annual charge to Berwick properties to fund local maintenance, with the first deductions appearing on 2027 council tax statements.
How we reported this
The Berwick Local Services Levy referendum, scheduled for 8 October 2026, will ask all registered voters in the Berwick borough whether to approve a new annual charge on residential and commercial properties.
National changes to local government funding formulas have left Berwick Council with a projected shortfall in its 2026-27 operating budget, according to the council's March 2026 financial planning document.
Effects on daily services
If approved, the levy would apply to every household and business ratepayer in Berwick, raising an estimated 2.3 million pounds each year for road repairs, street lighting and parks maintenance, the same document states. A typical Band C property would face an extra 48 pounds per year, collected through existing council tax instalments beginning in April 2027.
Residents in the town centre would see the charge on the same bill that covers waste collection and library services, while outlying villages such as Tweedmouth and Spittal would receive the same line item without changes to collection schedules.
Next steps in the process
Ballot papers will be posted to all eligible electors by 20 September, with results declared within 48 hours of polls closing, the council's elections office confirmed in its July 2026 notice. Should the measure pass, the new charge takes effect automatically on 1 April 2027 and appears on the first instalment notices mailed in late March 2027.
Policy analysts note that the levy remains subject to annual review in subsequent budget rounds, allowing the council to adjust the amount based on actual revenue collected and documented spending on the listed services.