February 7, 2014 1.21 pm This story is over 120 months old

More scrutiny over proposed Lincoln council tax rise

Budget review: Cross-party councillors in Lincoln will have a final chance to scrutinise a proposed 1.8% council tax increase for city residents.

The City of Lincoln Council draft budget, which proposes a council tax increase of 1.8%, will be examined by a review group before final approval.

Faced with a reduction of 13.7% in government funding this year, the council executive agreed a draft budget that would see a council tax rise of around 6p a week for 80% of households in Lincoln.

The draft budget, agreed by the council’s executive members, will be reviewed by a cross-party group on Monday, February 10.

The group has been asked to consider the draft Medium Term Financial Strategy 2014-19, as well as the 2014-15 budget and council tax proposals.

They will then provide any comments and recommendations to the executive, before the final budget proposals are referred to full council on March 4.

The council will also take into account feedback from a business breakfast taking place on Wednesday, February 12, and responses to the public consultation, which is open until March 3.

In addition to the traditional scrutiny process, this year all councillors were invited to a series of briefing sessions to make them aware of the council’s financial position.

They were briefed on the current financial climate, latest developments in local government finance, the resulting impact on the council and its strategy for responding.

Council Leader Ric Metcalfe said: “The Budget Review Group plays an important role scrutinising the council’s proposals. It is their job to question any assumptions behind the budget, and provide a challenge if and where appropriate.

“Effective scrutiny on the budget process should support the Executive in reaching the right decision regarding the council’s finances.”

A police council tax precept rise of 1.99% has been approved by the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel this week, which would equate to an extra 7 pence per week for a Band D property.

The Lincolnshire County Council Executive approved final proposals to freeze its share of council tax, with the final decision being put through a full council on February 21.