North Kesteven District Council's increase to Council Tax bill lowest in the county

At last night’s Full Council meeting (Thursday), a rise of £4.95 (3.3 per cent) at Band D was approved. As three-quarters of households in the district are in Bands A to C this would equate to an increase of between six and eight pence per week.

This is expected to be one of the lowest charges of Council Tax in the county – £154.80 at Band D and £103.20 to £137.60 for Bands A-C – and covers all of the services provided by NKDC, including refuse and recycling, planning control, economic development and tourism initiatives, public protection, food hygiene inspections, leisure, sports, arts and more.

The decision formed part of the financial plans for the forthcoming year, which includes a record capital programme of £27m and a net General Fund budget of £11m which are said by the council to be full-funded through careful financial management.

NKDC’s Full Council also approved the NK Plan, which highlights the aims and ambitions of the forthcoming year.

Focused on four distinct priorities – Our Economy, Our Homes, Our Communities and Our Council – targets for the 2017/18 include the construction of at least 60 new council homes, working with partners to drive forward regeneration projects in Sleaford and North Hykeham and progressing the authority’s new refuse depot and increased business workshop provision in Metheringham.

Additionally there is an ongoing commitment to encourage business and job expansion, influence the re-use of empty homes, support communities through Neighbourhood Planning and implement strategies in support of older people and healthy residents.

Coun Marion Brighton, Leader of the Council, said: “We have a viable, robust and positive financial plan and we remain focused on supporting North Kesteven as we have over the past years.”

An extraordinary meeting of NKDC’s Full Council has been scheduled for 5pm on Thursday March 9 to approve the overall levels of Council Tax for 2017/18 once the county council and other relevant authorities have finalised their budgets which make up part of the tax demand in North Kesteven.

Lincolnshire County Council will meet to decide its share of the Council Tax figure later today when Labour group leader Coun Rob Parker will be proposing an alternative budget to that proposed by the Conservative administration.

Senior Conservative county councillors are backing a rise of 3.95 per cent - the maximum allowed before local authorities are required to hold a referendum. This would mean an increase of around £45 a year for Band D properties.

This includes a two per cent increase specifically to cover the growing cost of adult social care. The increase is designed to recover some money lost from government funding cuts.