South Holland District Council agree 2.99% rise in council tax

Council tax bills will be going up after a district authority has agreed a 2.99% rise.

South Holland District Council agreed to increase its share of the total bill by £7.11 for a Band D property, which equates to £208.53 per year, during a meeting last night (Thursday, February 28).

One of the big challenges facing this year’s budget is the £3.57million Internal Drainage Board levy - an increase of £158,000 from 2024/25. The council is required to pay this levy in order to protect homes and businesses from flooding but it prevents them from investing in other services.

The authority has also seen a £332,000 reduction in Government grants along with continued changes in resident and business needs.

Lincolnshire County Council has already agreed to raise its share of the council tax bill by 2.99%.

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones, who is under pressure to quit after the cash-strapped force is looking set to cut 200 police officers to tackle a £14million financial black hole - along with parish councils also set their own council tax rates which form the total bill.

Coun Paul Redgate, the district council’s finance portfolio holder, said: "Despite the challenges of the past few years, we continue to work to develop new opportunities, deliver services in different ways to be efficient as well as develop new income streams to support the council's revenue budget.

"Representations to government continues to be made on Internal Drainage Board Special Levies due to the substantial loss of income to the council and the impact this has on services.

"Another key component of the council budget is its share of business rates income which has seen changes following the settlement in December. In addition, inflationary pressures have been seen across all areas of the council's budget, particularly pay, contracts, utilities, and fuel.

"Budgets for the coming years are forecast to be even more challenging. That is why it is important for us as a council to continue making efficiencies where we can, reduce running costs and help deliver services more efficiently. Increasing capital investment will also help generate new income for the council to provide services."

The authority has also agreed to sent the Spalding Special Expenses last night. This has been set at £23.13 for a Band D property, a decrease of £2.70 from 2024/25.

From April 2025, the council will increase the maximum amount of Council Tax Support for eligible low or no-income families and households. This will rise from 75% to 85%.

It also set a £38.6m Capital Programme

The council says some of its key projects to be developed during 2025/26 include:

- Investment in infrastructure and facilities through government funding

- Investing in town and rural centres working with partners

- Empowering communities in the way services are provided

- Addressing deprivation

- Tackling climate change through the Green Homes Initiative

- Supporting tenants and improving its housing stock.

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