Council Tax bills explained

We have issued the 2024-25 Council Tax bills. This page should help with your queries regarding Council Tax annual billing. If you have a query about your bill that cannot be answered on our web pages contact the Council Tax team.

Check your Council Tax account and bill online - Cheshire East online account service

What you need to do if you pay by Direct Debit

Nothing. Your Direct Debit details will automatically carry over to your new bill and we will collect your new instalments on the dates shown on your annual bill.

Setting up a Direct Debit to pay your Council Tax

The easiest way is to set up a Direct Debit online.

Monthly Instalments

Our default payment date is 1st of the month. Almost 90% of customers pay by Direct Debit. We now offer a choice of payment dates (1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 22nd, 27th) for all our payers, by arrangement. Visit our paying your Council Tax page to set up your Direct Debit or to change your payment date.

Understanding how your bill has been calculated

Council Tax is made up of charges from Cheshire East Council, Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire Constabulary.

For more information visit about Council Tax. For a breakdown of how we calculate your bill see your Council Tax bill explained.

How to get help with your Council Tax bill

You may be entitled to Council Tax Support. Visit the Benefit Section for more information.

Services your Council Tax pays for

The Council Tax helps pay for services such as adult social care, schools, community centres, street lighting, youth and sports centres, libraries and swimming pools. Your Council Tax also pays towards police, fire, public transport and collection and disposal of waste. There are no reductions for people who do not use them.

For more information see Council Tax Budgets and Spending

Why we have a garden waste recycling scheme

We’re facing significant financial pressures like many other local authorities. We must look at other ways of creating income so that we can protect essential frontline services for those residents most in need.

Collecting garden waste isn’t an essential service that councils must provide statutorily and as of 2019, more than 65% of local authorities across England were charging for this service and many have been doing so for several years. Since 2019, other local authorities have also introduced their own subscription scheme. You’ll only pay for the service if you opt-in.

More information about the garden waste recycling scheme.

Charges for the Parish/Town

Your Parish/Town Council can add a charge to your Council Tax bill to pay for tasks they undertake in your Parish/Town. This includes maintaining playing fields and open spaces, providing footway lighting and looking after cemeteries and graveyards.

Queries relating to your Parish/Town charge should be made to them directly.

How Council Tax is set

The Council calculates the total amount of Council Tax needed by Cheshire East Council and that amount is divided proportionately between individual properties, which are placed in one of eight bands from A to H, depending on their value as at 1 April 1991.

In addition to the Cheshire East charge, local Town/Parish Councils, Cheshire Constabulary and Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service are responsible for setting their own Council Tax levels in consideration of their budget requirement for the year.

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Contact Council Tax

Council Tax enquiry form

If you're unable to use our forms or have any questions about your bill you can call the Council Tax Customer Service Team on 0300 123 5013 during normal office hours, 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.

Page last reviewed: 18 September 2024