County council approves 3.5% council tax increase

Councillors backed the rise, which is made up of a 1.5% general rise and 2% for adult social care, on Friday.

It means an average Band D property would see a bill of £1,337.58, a £45 rise on last year.

On top of that, residents in the Boston area will pay additional precepts to the police, the borough council, and in some cases, parish councils.

The leader of Lincolnshire County Council is confident that the funding pressures that has blighted it over recent years could ease after promised Fairer Funding reviews take place this year.

Council leader Martin Hill told councillors at the meeting: “2020 is the start of a significant new era in our history. We need to seize the opportunities presented to us now as strongly as possible and deliver what years of uncertainty have slowed.

“Our budget is one that reflects our continued investment in our county and our services.”

A revised budget position puts the council at a £1.165 million surplus heading into the next financial year.

As part of its proposals, the council would make a £1.447 million contribution to a new development reserve which would be used to fund future projects.

It would also receive a social care support grant of £14.7 million from government in order to ease pressure on the service.

Lincolnshire County Council Leader Martin Hill. Photo: LCC

Delays in creating a new funding formula for local authorities, blamed on the stalemate caused by Brexit, mean the future is unclear when it comes to how much cash the council will have next year.

The revenue support grant is not expected to be received from next year, with a one-year settlement being given to cope with changes to local government funding beginning from April 2021.

However, Councillor Hill is confident the distribution of wealth will improve from next year.

“We’re looking for some certainty this year about these things will roll out. So hopefully this time next year they’ll be a three or four year settlement so we can actually plan better for the future with some certainty.

“We did have some commitments from government that they will address that issue so I’m confident and hopeful that will be seen through and the initial indications are that we will get extra funding, which is what we’ve always been after.”

Lincolnshire County Council full council meeting. Photo: Daniel Jaines

The county council has seen a £50 million reduction in its revenue support grant, its main source of funding from government, over the past four years.

In the new budget the authority makes around £14million of efficiency savings in an attempt to balance the budget.

Among the spends this year the council has earmarked £4million for extra highways gangs, £2million for extra drainage repairs and flood response equipment and £350,000 towards a new “green masterplan”.

Othe projects to recieve money include:

The creation of new school places

Replacement of the Skegness and Kirkby on Bain household waste recycling centres

Projects to boost economic growth and reduce traffic congestion in Boston

An extension to Horncastle Industrial Estate

North Hykeham Relief Road

Spalding Western Relief Road

Improvements to tackle pinch-points along the Lincolnshire Coastal Highway

A Labour amendment, which called for more spending on social mobility, park and rides and bus services was rejected during the meeting.

Labour leader Councillor Rob Parker said some of the money which was “squirreled away” in reserves could have been used to pay for the costs.