Residents across Greater Lincolnshire are set to feel the pinch as the last councils have approved their council tax rises – but who will come off worse?
The honour of the most expensive council tax bill goes to North East Lincolnshire, which will be sending out a bill of at least £2,067.86 for its band D residents – a rise of 2.98% (£53.38).
At the cheapest end of the spectrum is North Lincolnshire, whose residents will be paying £1,579.35 – an extra £42.40.
How council tax will look across the county.
Lincolnshire County Council has upped its tax by a whopping 4,95%, an increase of £60.93 for band Ds.
Both Lincolnshire and Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner’s have taken advantage of Government loosening the leash on their council taxes by increasing their precepts by more than 11% (£23.94) and 12.04% (£24) respectively.
All the above leaves the City of Lincoln Council as the most expensive district in central Lincolnshire with a 2.95% rise which will put the band D bills at £1,808.68.
So how do things look where you are?
East Lindsey District Council
East Lindsey District Council – £1,675.62 (Band D)
East Lindsey District Council approved its budget on Wednesday, when members voted in favour of the 3.62% tax increase.
The move will see those in band D properties pay an extra £4.95 for the 2019/20 year – a total of £141.84.
The council faces a deficit of £3.7 million by 2024 – though this is down from an estimated £4.72 million put forward last year.
During the meeting Councillor Richard Fry, the portfolio holder for finance, said the council could “have confidence in our estimation of delivering a balanced budget” for 2019/20 – however warned of “Dickensian misery” and uncertainty for 20/21 as further cuts are faced.
Speaking after the meeting, leader Councillor Craig Leyland said: “This budget recognises the questions we need to ask in the future in terms of the black whole of additional funding we face.”
He was keen to point to an extra £5 million towards leisure facilities in Mablethorpe.
Despite ELDC being the highest percentage rise across the area it still remains the second least expensive place to live for council tax across Greater Lincolnshire with residents facing a £1,675.62 minimum bill for band D.
West Lindsey District Council.
West Lindsey District Council – £1,747.25
West Lindsey District Council also approved its bills this week, finally confirming a rise of 2.99%.
That will equate to an extra £6.20 per band D property – a total of £213.47.
Council leader Jeff Summers was keen to point to a capital investment plan of £37 million being invested in things such as housing, roads, food and regeneration.
He said: “The budget supports our priorities of People, Place and Council, striking the right balance between an increase in council tax and continuing the successful work of increasing efficiencies and regenerating our district, attracting new jobs and new homes.
The council faces a funding gap of over £500,000 in 2023.
The City of Lincoln council offices.
City of Lincoln Council – £1,808.68
City of Lincoln Council’s budget includes a 2.93% council tax hike.
The move sees the authority increase the rate for an average band D property from £267.03 to £274.86 for 2019/20.
It means the overall tax bill for a band D property, including Lincolnshire County Council and Police and Crime Commissioner, will be £1,808.64.
City council officials have said the authority will need to make £5.25 million worth of savings a year from 2020/21. More than £4 million of these savings have been identified so far.
North Kesteven District Council .
North Kesteven District Council – £1,698.48
North Kesteven residents will see a 3.10% tax hike as part of the 2019-20 budget.
The rise is estimated to bring an additional £184,600 to North Kesteven District Council and equates to an increase of £4.95 for a band D property.
The council also agreed a number of new savings, including a new pay award and structure, staff turnover, £200,000 revenue from developments and moving its utility and fuel costs.
South Kesteven District Council building, St Peters Hill. Picture: SKDC.
South Kesteven District Council – £1,692.40
Councillors in South Kesteven agreed to put aside £15,000 to support food banks across the district as they approved a 3.25% increase in their council tax.
Members voted in favour of the budget for 2019/20 at a full council meeting today.
The rise equates to £5 for a band D property, the highest rate before a local referendum would be required.
It means the rate for an average band D property will rise from £153.62 to £158.62.
South Holland District Council offices on Priory Road in Spalding. Photo: Google Street View
South Holland District Council – £1,708.56
South Holland District Councillors unanimously approved their budget for 2019/20, which will see Band D properties pay around £4.95 extra – a total of £174.78 and a 2.91% hike.
The change will see the council, which this year saw an increase of 629 properties across the district, collect an extra £264,000 in its own precept.
The vote also saw an increase in the Spalding special expenses to £23.67 and £23.49 for Band D properties.
The council has been looking to save £1.105 million by 2020/21.
Boston Borough Council has set out its budget measures.
Boston Borough Council – £1,722.87
Boston approved a budget which included a 2.99% tax rise which will see Band D properties pay around £5.49 extra – a total of £189.09.
The authority predicts it will take £3,618,029 in council tax this year – an extra £182,212 on 2018/19.
In 2019/20, further savings of £312,000 have been identified, which the authority says ensures a balanced budget. However, it will have made £2 million of savings in total over the past four years.
Lincolnshire County Council sign outside head offices on Newland, Lincoln. Picture: Calvin Robinson
Lincolnshire County Council – £1,292.40
Leaders at Lincolnshire County Council’s members have backed a 4.95% council tax hike.
The move will see an increase in the general rate by 2.95%, as well as an additional 2% for adult social care.
The authority had proposed a 3.95% hike back in December 2018, but tabled a further 1% increase amid funding concerns.
The authority will have seen a £50.212 million cut in its grant over the past four years.
As a result, the county council has forecast a shortfall in its budget of £3.087 million.
Grimsby Town Hall. Photo: David Wright
North East Lincolnshire – £2,067.86
North East Lincolnshire backed a 2.98% council tax hike.
The move which was backed at a full council meeting is expected to raise £61 million for the authority, though £4.9 million is ring-fenced for adult social care.
It means the increase will add £53.38 extra for a Band D property – a total of £1,844.54 – to the authority’s precept.
The Civic Centre in Scunthorpe. North Lincolnshire Council head offices.
North Lincolnshire – £1,579.35
Councillors in North Lincolnshire have backed a council tax hike of 2.99% for 2019/20.
The authority estimates that the increase will raise around £67 million, as well as £5.191 million for adult social care.
It means that the average band D property will increase from £1,313.61 to £1,356.03 for the authority alone.
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The 2024 Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are now open for nominations, seeking to spotlight outstanding businesses within the Greater Lincolnshire area.
Hosted by Stonebow Media, the publisher behind The Lincolnite and the MyLocal platform, this prestigious event is designed to honour the achievements of the regional business community.
Thanks to the headline sponsorship from the University of Lincoln Enterprise & Research department, the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of local enterprises.
The awards are also sponsored by Ringrose Law, Duncan & Toplis, Sills & Betteridge and Pearson Hydraulics. A small number of sponsorship opportunities remain available. Contact [email protected] to discuss partnerships.
Businesses can nominate themselves across eleven awards categories:
The deadline for nominations is May 24, with the judges’ deliberation lunch set for May 29.The judging panel includes business experts and professionals from Lincolnshire and event sponsors.
The Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 gala will take place at the Engine Shed on July 12, 2024.
Enhance profile & credibility: Securing an award or being shortlisted acts as a powerful endorsement, signaling trustworthiness to potential customers and helping to distinguish your business from competitors. Displaying the award on your communications can significantly boost your brand’s perception.
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Networking opportunities: The awards connect you with local business leaders and experts, offering a platform to seek advice, share ideas, and foster future partnerships. The ceremony itself is an excellent occasion for networking with peers and celebrating mutual successes.
Potential to win: Entering offers a chance to win and gain all the associated benefits, but even without taking home a trophy, the process can yield significant advantages for your business.
A Lady Gaga loving kitten owned by a couple who run a charity for disabled pets featured on Channel 5’s The Pet Psychic.
Pet Psychic Beth Lee-Crowther comes to the aid of pet owners and in Tuesday night’s episode she met Cookie the kitten, a depressed camel, and looked at whether a dog can predict the future.
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