February 22, 2018 3.49 pm This story is over 73 months old

South Kesteven District Council set to increase council tax by 3.36%

The council will set the budget next week.
Photo: Fotolia

South Kesteven district councillors will be asked to approve a council tax rise of 3.36% and make savings of almost £1.4 million.

The council will set its budget for 2018-19 at a meeting of the Full Council in Grantham on Thursday, March 1.

A 3.36% council tax hike equates to a £5 rise for Band D properties, increasing from £148.62 to £153.62.

Savings and efficiencies worth £1,383,000 are also proposed.

The council plans to dip into its reserves to fund projects such as the Big Clean and festivals in the district.

A minimum of £1.6 million in reserves will be maintained.

Green waste charges will rise from £30 to £32 for people paying by direct debit, and from £33 to £35 for residents paying in person or by telephone if the budget proposals are approved.

Garage rents are set to increase by 3% in line with inflation, with a 4% rise planned for shared ownership rents.

A 3% rise is also proposed in service charges for communal facilities and community rooms.

However, a 1% rent reduction for dwellings has been recommended, which would save tenants 78p per week.

A report to councillors by Richard Wyles, assistant director for finance at South Kesteven District Council, said: “The council is required to set a balanced budget and agree the level of council tax for 2018-19.

“The proposals have been carefully formulated by cabinet and have been considered and scrutinised in detail by the Budget Overview and Scrutiny Committee on January 10, 2018.”