Sussex Police portion of 2026/27 council tax bill to increase

The Sussex Police portion of the 2026/27 council tax bill is set to increase by £15 for a Band D property, the maximum amount allowable without a referendum.

This decision was reached by the Sussex Police and Crime Panel on 30 January 2026, following a proposal from Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne. 

Key Financial Impact

• Annual Charge: The policing precept for a Band D property will rise from £266.91 to £281.91.
• Monthly Increase: This equates to an extra £1.25 per month.
• Percentage Rise: The increase represents a 5.6% rise in the policing portion of the bill.
• Household Distribution: Approximately 75% of Sussex households (those in Bands A-D) will see an increase of 29p per week or less. 

Context and Funding

• Budget Gap: Despite the £11.7 million raised by this increase, Sussex Police still faces an estimated £8.5 million budget shortfall for 2026/27 due to rising costs and changes in government grant structures.
• Total Bill Increase: This rise is separate from other proposed increases, such as the 4.99% rise planned by West Sussex County Council for its portion of the bill. 

The Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner stated that the increase is necessary to maintain current officer numbers and service levels, noting that government grants are "inadequate" for the force's needs.