First LCC budget sparks row over council tax rise and local cuts

Funding for roads, business support and local projects — including schemes affecting Skegness and Boston – are facing cuts in the 2026/7 budget.

Under the initial proposals, the county council’s share of council tax would rise by 4.99 per cent, the maximum increase allowed without a referendum.

Conservatives say the rise comes despite what they describe as record levels of government funding, and argue it breaks pre-election promises made by Reform candidates to reduce the tax burden on households.

The Conservative Group claims the budget cuts funding for highways, removes major road schemes — including £11 million from coastal road projects — and scraps £20 million of planned business and economic support. They also point to local concerns, including the Skegness Household Waste Recycling Centre scheme and uncertainty over the future of Leverton Fire Station.

Coun Richard Davies, leader of the Conservative Group at Lincolnshire County Council, said the budget showed “a gap between promises and reality”, adding that residents were being asked to “pay more while receiving less”.

However, Lincolnshire County Council says the situation is more complex and stresses that no final decision has yet been made. The council’s executive has agreed initial proposals, but says options — including lower council tax increases — will now go out to public consultation.

Council leader Coun Sean Matthews said the authority has faced £82.6 million in additional costs this year due to rising demand and service pressures, alongside long-term debt and ageing assets inherited from the previous administration.

“None of our executive want to increase council tax at all,” he said. “But to avoid cutting services and to secure the maximum funding from government, this is required. We want to hear what the public think.”

Responding to concerns in Skegness, the council said the £2 million allocation for a proposed new Household Waste Recycling Centre is being reviewed, as current land and construction costs would far exceed that figure. Officers say feedback from a countywide recycling centre survey will now be considered, with some funding potentially redirected to improve services across multiple sites and support South Holland’s twin-stream recycling scheme.

On Leverton Fire Station, the council says no funded plans were cancelled, as no money had previously been allocated. Executive member Coun Alex McGonigle said a new, evidence-based response model is being developed before decisions are made, to ensure firefighter safety and value for taxpayers.

The budget proposals — and council tax options — will now be opened to public consultation, with residents across Lincolnshire, including Skegness and Boston, invited to have their say before final decisions are taken.