By Council Tax increase approved by Councillors
Councillors in North East Lincolnshire have agreed to increase council tax by 4.98% as part of this years budget, it has been confirmed.
This breaks down into a 1.98% increase in Council Tax itself, and a 3% precept for adult social care.
The decision was made at a virtual meeting of the full council, which was held last night, Thursday 18 February.
According to a statement issued by the council, increased funding will be allocated to proposals such as investing in 53 play parks across the borough, increasing direct funding on the green agenda, increasing ward funding to allow extra support for local communities and increasing the Council Tax hardship fund to provide additional support for households in some of the most vulnerable parts of the area.
Responding to the announcement, one local tweeted:
“Well thanks for that. That’s some hike up. Dont they know people are already struggling due to covid. This and utilities up, tax next.”
But Council Leader Philip Jackson explained:
“The pandemic has had an enormous impact on the area and while we’ve had an extensive and welcome range of one-off financial support measures from central Government, which has significantly assisted in managing the pandemic at local level, we must also be aware that that support is not a never-ending money tree.
“As such, we need to do all we can with the resources we have to support the whole area and the sectors which help our local residents.”
The budget will see Council Tax income rise by £1.4m from £64m to £65.4m, with the adult social care precept rising from £6.5m to £8.8m – a difference of £2.3m.
Councillor Jackson added that the authority had consulted widely on the draft budget proposals, including public consultation and through the scrutiny process.
“We’ve considered this feedback, we’ve listened, and we’ve continued to build on the progress made in the last 12 months – that’s a commitment we’ve given to local people and a commitment we’ll continue to deliver on,” he continued.
“We’re acutely aware of the impact the pandemic is having on our residents and businesses and we’re determined to ensure the area is in the best place it can be to flourish as we hopefully come out of the challenges it has presented us all.”
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