What does my Council Tax pay for?
We understand that a large proportion of your money will go on Council Tax, so we want to share openly how we spend your contributions.
Gravesham Borough Council, Kent County Council, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner and Kent Fire and Rescue Service together deliver most of the local services in your area. If you live in an area with a parish council, they too provide some local services.
The Council Tax you pay, is collected by Gravesham Borough Council on behalf of all the above authorities. The total amount is then divided between them.
How is my Council Tax shared out?
In 2025/26 Gravesham Borough Council are required to collect £81,311,060 in Council Tax. The money goes to the following:
- Kent County Council - £59,940,660 (73.7%)
- The Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent - £9,574,900 (11.8%)
- Gravesham Borough Council £8,433,390 (10.4%)
- Kent Fire and Rescue £3,362,100 (4.1%)
For every £1 you pay in Council Tax,
- Gravesham Borough Council gets 10p
- Kent County Council gets 74p
- Kent Police gets 12p
- Kent Fire and Rescue gets 4p
If you live in an area with a parish council, it too will provide some local services.
What services your Council Tax pays for?
Council Tax is spent to deliver a wide range of services, of which the more significant ones are set out below. For more information please see our Civic Budget Book 2025-26 and prior years back to 2015-16.
Gravesham Borough Council
- Waste and recycling collections
- Street cleaning
- Housing Services and housing benefits
- Planning
- Parks, open spaces, play areas
- Environmental health and licensing
- Supporting the local economy
- Leisure facilities
- Community safety
Kent County Council
- Social care and health
- Education, children and families
- Fire and rescue
- Roads and travel
- Libraries
- Leisure, recreation and community
- Registrar services
Information about Kent County Council's finances
Kent Police Crime Commissioner
- Local policing services
- Crime prevention
- Access to justice
- Victim support and protection
Information about Kent Police finances
Kent Fire & Rescue Services
- Fire services including staff
- Support services to South-East Coast Ambulance Service
- Safe and Well home visits
- Maintaining 56 fire stations across the county
Information about Kent Fire & Rescue Service's finances
Parish Councils
- Community centres
- Community events
- Planning consultation
- Parks, open spaces and recreation
- Bus shelters, litter bins, street cleaning
Council Tax breakdown
| Band | Kent County Council | Gravesham Borough Council | Kent Police & Crime Commissioner | Kent Fire & Rescue Service | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1127.46 | 158.64 | 180.10 | 63.24 | 1529.44 |
| B | 1315.37 | 185.08 | 210.12 | 73.78 | 1784.35 |
| C | 1503.28 | 211.52 | 240.13 | 84.32 | 2039.25 |
| D | 1691.19 | 237.96 | 270.15 | 94.86 | 2294.16 |
| E | 2067.01 | 290.84 | 330.18 | 115.94 | 2803.97 |
| F | 2442.83 | 343.72 | 390.22 | 137.02 | 3313.79 |
| G | 2818.65 | 396.60 | 450.25 | 158.10 | 3823.60 |
| H | 3382.38 | 475.92 | 540.30 | 189.72 | 4588.32 |
How is my Council Tax worked out?
Each residential property is put into a valuation band. There are eight bands altogether according to the estimated market value, as at 1 April 1991.
The council divides the amount of money it needs to raise by the number of properties in Gravesham. This gives the amount each household pays. For example, in 2025 to 2026 people with a property in Band D will pay £237.96. (This is for council services only and doesn’t include the amount that is added on for Kent County Council, police and fire services and charges by parishes). Charges for the remaining bands are a proportion of the Band D charge.
| Property value range | Band | Proportion of Band D chargable |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £40,000 | A | 6/9 |
| £40,001 to £52,000 | B | 7/9 |
| £52,001 to £68,000 | C | 8/9 |
| £68,001 to £88,000 | D | 9/9 |
| £88,001 to £120,000 | E | 11/9 |
| £120,001 to £160,000 | F | 13/9 |
| £160,001 to £320,000 | G | 15/9 |
| £320,001 and above | H | 18/9 |
Where does the money come from?
The General Fund net revenue budget for 2025-26 is primarily funded from locally generated resources (Council Tax and Business Rates) and a level of government funding, such as the New Homes Bonus Scheme.
| Funding source | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Council Tax inc Parish precepts | £9,103,970 | 63% |
| Business Rates | £4,245,100 | 30% |
| Recovery and Funding Guarantee Grants | £543,280 | 4% |
| New Homes Bonus | £254,960 | 2% |
| Revenues Support Grant | £156,570 | 1% |
Parish and Town Council Spend
Meopham Parish Council
| Year | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross expenditure on services | £196,146.87 | £232,394 |
| Less income | £824.13 | £824 |
| Net Budget | £196,146.87 | £231,750 |
| Band D Council Tax | £63.44 | £75.58 |
Find out more from Meopham Parish Council
Vigo Parish Council
| Year | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross expenditure on services | £161,938 | £172,330 |
| Less income | £0 | £2500 |
| Net Budget | £161,938 | £169,830 |
| Band D Council Tax | £188.19 | £206.92 |
Find out more from Vigo Parish Council
Higham Parish Council
| Year | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross expenditure on services | £175,900 | £167,353 |
| Less use of reserves | £14,850 | £0 |
| Less income | £6,050 | £6,353 |
| Net Budget | £155,000 | £161,000 |
| Band D Council Tax | £96.96 | £101.75 |