Heres how much your council tax is going up next month
Council budgets for the new financial year have been finalised, with every authority in Lincolnshire announcing an increase in council tax for 2021/22.
In almost every instance, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is reflected in these changes.
The updated bills are split between your local district or borough council, the county council, and by local emergency services including the police and fire services.
Here’s how much you can expect to pay depending on where you live:
All domestic properties in England fall into a council tax band based on the value of the property – these range between ‘A’ and ‘H’, with everyone in Lincolnshire is affected by the increase announced by Lincolnshire County Council.
This means an increase of £26.52, or 1.99%.
Additionally, the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner council tax is going up by £14.94, or 5.9%.
If you live in an area covered by East Lindsey District Council, which covers some of the villages surrounding Grimsby including Tetney and Louth, you can expect a council tax increase of 3.37%.
The rise matches that of three other Lincolnshire councils.
Due to the existing rates, it is the increase that will see residents paying the least.
East Lindsey residents will pay £46.41 more than they did last year.
Portfolio holder for finance, Councillor Richard Fry, said:
“We are now over a year into the Covid-19 pandemic and it has had a profound effect on our finances as a council and the finances of our residents and businesses.
“This budget will ensure that the council can remain financially resilient, as we look to maximise our income and savings, whilst also supporting our communities and providing the basis for our area’s economic recovery.”
In North Lincolnshire, a rise of 3.48% has been agreed.
According to the council, the budget includes plans to protect communities, enhance the environment and create jobs to help support the area recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Spending plans also include a commitment to free parking in Ashby, Brigg and Scunthorpe.
As part of what Council Leader Rob Waltham called “a very serious plan for investment,” there will be continued support for the planting of thousands of trees and additional investment to protect homes from flooding and funding for footpaths, roads and home security for the vulnerable people.
“The end result of all of this will be that the right conditions will have been developed for highly-skilled, well-paid, sustainable jobs to flourish in Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire,” he added.
Those under North East Lincolnshire Council can expect to see a 4.98% increase in their council tax bill.
Explaining the increase, Council Leader Philip Jackson said:
“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.”
One local responded via Twitter, saying:
“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.”
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’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,” he concluded.
What do you think of this years council tax increase?