Last reviewed: May 2026
Quick answer: North West Leicestershire District Council bills you, but the figure on your bill is the sum of the district's charge, Leicestershire County Council's precept, the police and fire precepts and any parish precept.North West Leicestershire is a two-tier area: the district is responsible for some services (waste, recycling, planning, leisure, housing benefit, Council Tax billing) and Leicestershire County Council is responsible for others (education, adult and children's social care, libraries, roads, public health).
The district covers Coalville, Castle Donington, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Ibstock and a string of villages running from the Charnwood Forest boundary down towards Burton-on-Trent. North West Leicestershire District Council is the billing authority for all of them.
| Band | Property Value (1991) | Ratio to Band D |
|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £40,000 | 6/9 |
| B | £40,001 to £52,000 | 7/9 |
| C | £52,001 to £68,000 | 8/9 |
| D | £68,001 to £88,000 | 9/9 |
| E | £88,001 to £120,000 | 11/9 |
| F | £120,001 to £160,000 | 13/9 |
| G | £160,001 to £320,000 | 15/9 |
| H | Over £320,000 | 18/9 |
Band ranges set nationally in 1991. North West Leicestershire bills, but the cash amount per band is the sum of district, county, police, fire and parish precepts.
How North West Leicestershire Council Tax is set for 2026-27
The cash amount on your bill is made up of decisions taken separately by the district, the county, the Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner, the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Combined Fire Authority and your parish or town council. The county precept is the largest single component of most bills.
North West Leicestershire District Council approves its own portion at a full council meeting in February. The county and the precepting bodies approve their precepts at the same time. Parish and town councils set their precepts at their annual meetings.
The district then adds all these together for each band, using the national 6/9 to 18/9 schedule, and the result is the figure on your bill.
Council Tax bands A to H in North West Leicestershire
The Valuation Office Agency assigns every home in England to one of eight bands, A through H, based on its value in April 1991. North West Leicestershire then sets a Band D rate; every other band is a fixed fraction of Band D.
Band A is 6/9ths of Band D, Band B is 7/9ths, Band C is 8/9ths, Band E is 11/9ths, Band F is 13/9ths, Band G is 15/9ths and Band H is 18/9ths. This ratio is fixed by central government and applies the same way in North West Leicestershire as it does in any other English billing authority.
To check your band, look up your address on the Valuation Office Agency search tool, or use the band shown on your annual bill. If you think the band is wrong because of evidence about your property in 1991, you have a narrow window to challenge it once you first move in.
How to pay North West Leicestershire Council Tax
Most North West Leicestershire District Council residents pay by Direct Debit because it spreads the bill across the year and stops any reminder letters arriving. You can usually choose between paying on the 1st, the 15th or the last working day of the month, and you can switch between 10 instalments (the default) or 12 instalments.
Other options at North West Leicestershire District Council include paying online through the council website using a debit or credit card, paying by automated phone line around the clock, paying at a PayPoint with your bill barcode, or sending a cheque with your reference number written on the back.
If you want 12 instalments instead of 10, you have a legal right to ask for it under the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992, as amended. North West Leicestershire District Council must agree provided you ask before the bill year starts in April.
Discounts and Council Tax Support in North West Leicestershire
The most common discount is the 25 per cent single person discount. If you are the only adult living at the property, you should be paying three-quarters of the full bill. Apply through North West Leicestershire District Council with proof of who lives at the address.
Council Tax Reduction is the means-tested help available to people on a low income or claiming certain benefits. North West Leicestershire District Council runs its own scheme within the framework set by central government, and the amount of help depends on income, savings, household make-up and whether anyone in the home is disabled or a carer.
Other reductions worth checking: full-time students are disregarded, a property occupied only by under-18s is exempt, a person with a severe mental impairment is disregarded with a GP certificate, and the disability reduction scheme can drop your bill to the band below your current one if a disabled person needs adapted facilities.
Banding, parish precepts, moving and arrears
Most villages in the district have either a parish council, a town council or a parish meeting. The parish precept is broken out separately on the bill so you can see what your own parish or town council is charging. Castle Donington Parish Council, Ashby-de-la-Zouch Town Council and Coalville Town Council are some of the larger precepting bodies in the district.
Tell North West Leicestershire District Council as soon as you move within or in and out of the district. Banding disputes go to the Valuation Office Agency. Liability disputes (who pays, discount eligibility) go to the district first, with the Valuation Tribunal for England as the appeal route.
Falling behind on payments triggers the standard sequence: 7-day reminder, loss of right to instalments, summons, liability order, enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Castle Donington part of North West Leicestershire?
Yes. Castle Donington is one of the larger parishes in North West Leicestershire District. The district covers most of the historic Coalville area, plus Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Ibstock, Castle Donington and the surrounding villages.
Why is the Combined Fire Authority on my bill?
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Combined Fire Authority is a stand-alone fire authority that covers the historic fire and rescue area. The precept is set each February and the district collects it on the same bill as a billing convenience.
When does North West Leicestershire send out the new bill?
Bills are normally posted in March, with the first instalment due on 1 April. Direct Debit payers are taken on their chosen date once the mandate has been updated for the new financial year.
How do I apply for Council Tax Support in North West Leicestershire?
Apply through North West Leicestershire District Council's online Council Tax Support form. Provide income, savings, household details and benefits information. Working age and pensioner schemes differ.
Can I challenge my North West Leicestershire Council Tax band?
Yes. Contact the Valuation Office Agency. You have six months from first moving in to make a formal proposal. After that, you can ask for an informal review at any time if you have new evidence about the 1991 value of your home.
How We Verified This
Two-tier structure verified against gov.uk and the Local Government Act 1972. North West Leicestershire-specific arrangements (district billing, county precept, Combined Fire Authority) verified against published budget papers and the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004.