Kingston Council has approved a 4.99% council tax increase for 2026 — the largest rise in five years. Band D properties will now pay £1,847 annually, up £88 from last year.
But how does this stack up against the other 32 London boroughs? The answer might surprise you.
At £1,847 for Band D properties, Kingston sits firmly in the middle of London's council tax league table — ranking 17th out of 33 boroughs.
Wandsworth remains London's cheapest at £1,012 for Band D properties, whilst Camden tops the table at £2,247. Kingston's rate is £400 below the London average of £2,047.
The Full London Council Tax Table 2026:
Cheapest Five:
Most Expensive Five: 29. Lewisham: £2,189 30. Croydon: £2,203 31. Havering: £2,234 32. Barking & Dagenham: £2,245 33. Camden: £2,247
Kingston's Neighbours:
Councillor Andreas Kirsch, Portfolio Holder for Finance, defended the rise at February's Corporate and Resources Committee meeting. The increase will fund "growing demand for social care and housing services," he said.
But Kingston's 4.99% rise is higher than many London neighbours. Richmond increased by 3.2%, whilst Merton opted for 4.1%.
Only five London boroughs increased council tax by more than Kingston's 4.99% this year. Croydon leads with 7.8%, followed by Barking & Dagenham at 6.2%.
The council says the additional £88 per Band D household will protect frontline services. But residents should ask: are we getting value for money?
Kingston's key statistics:
Compare this to Richmond, which charges £335 less per Band D property whilst maintaining similar service levels and achieving better resident satisfaction scores in recent surveys.
London's council tax rates reveal a curious pattern. The wealthiest boroughs often charge the least.
Wandsworth, Westminster, and Kensington & Chelsea — areas with some of London's most expensive properties — charge significantly less council tax than outer London boroughs like Havering and Barking & Dagenham.
This reflects different funding strategies and historical political choices about service provision and business rates.
Kingston's council tax has risen steadily:
The cumulative increase since 2022 is 7.9% — above inflation but below the London borough average of 9.2%.
This comparison raises several important questions:
Why can't Kingston match Richmond's efficiency? Our neighbour provides similar services for £335 less per household.
Is the 4.99% increase justified? Only five London boroughs increased council tax by more this year.
Where's the performance data? The council cites "growing demand" but provides little detail about service outcomes or efficiency improvements.
What about reserves? Kingston holds £23.8 million in general reserves — equivalent to £156 per Band D property. Could some of this cushion the increase?
At £1,847, Kingston residents pay a mid-range rate for London council tax. We're not the cheapest, but we're not the most expensive either.
The real question isn't where Kingston ranks, but whether residents are getting value for money. With Richmond charging £335 less for similar services, that's a conversation worth having.
The 4.99% increase — Kingston's largest in five years — deserves scrutiny. Residents should demand clear explanations about where this money goes and what improvements they can expect to see.
Want answers from your councillors about Kingston's council tax rise and how we compare to neighbouring boroughs? Use Council Clarity to message them directly. Your councillors need to hear your concerns about value for money and service delivery. Make your voice count — contact them today through Council Clarity's simple messaging system.
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