March 9, 2018 11.14 am This story is over 72 months old

South Holland District Council to increase council tax by 3.03%

They will still need to make cuts despite the tax hike.

South Holland District Council will increase its share of council tax by 3.03% after councillors approved the authority’s budget.

The Full Council gave the go-ahead to the budget proposals for 2018-19 at a meeting in Spalding on Thursday, March 8.

Band D properties will be asked to pay £169.83 a year, a rise of £4.99 compared with 2017-18.

Savings and income generation of £1.1 million are also estimated to be made by 2019-20.

The bulk of cuts will come in the form of efficiencies in the council’s organisation, such as continuing to collaborate and co-locate with neighbouring Breckland Council in Norfolk.

Income generation will revolve around the council’s house building strategy.

Councillor Gary Porter, leader of South Holland District Council, said: “We’ve been on a path of reductions since 2010 which we knew was going to happen.

“I keep raising our campaign for fairer funding across Lincolnshire and know this is something Sajid Javid (Communities Secretary) is on board with.

“In all areas, Lincolnshire doesn’t get what it should. The system was gerrymandered by the Labour government to favour more metropolitan areas.

“If you see what the London boroughs get, it’s eye-watering. Obviously, the cost of living is more expensive there, but Lincolnshire has its own challenges, especially around travel and care for the elderly.

“But the government is definitely looking at our fairer funding campaign so it’s not all doom and gloom – hopefully there will be some positive news.”