NEL Residents set for Council tax increase in draft budget

NEL Residents set for Council tax increase in draft budget

Residents in North East Lincolnshire are set to face an increase in their council tax, according to a draft budget released by the council.

Within the draft budget, there is a projected 1.98 per cent increase in council tax and a one percent increase in the adult social care precept.

The budget is subject to approval by a formal scrutiny panel and the public can voice their opinions during public consultation until January 27.

During a North East Lincolnshire Council cabinet meeting on Wednesday, councillors agreed that an increase was unavoidable, owing to the Coronavirus pandemic and challenges on spending for adult social care and children’s services.

Spending for adult social care and children’s care accounts for up to two thirds of the Council’s spending on services.

Cabinet members praised officers for keeping the proposed increase below the rise in council tax which was seen last year.

Councillor Stan Shreeve, Deputy Leader and portfolio holder for finance and resources, said: “When we started this process, we did a lot of work to try to avoid any increase to council tax. We know that many in our area have had a difficult few years due to the pandemic, and we don’t want to add to that burden.

“This budget will ensure that the services that we all use will be properly funded, whilst support remains for those that are struggling and there is investment to encourage more people to move to the area and for businesses to thrive.

“Our biggest challenges without a doubt are the funding of adult social care and children’s services. These are our biggest priorities.

“People can still have their say on the budget. The public consultation is open until 27 January 2022. We really do welcome feedback and input from residents – this has to be a budget that works for them and provides them with the services that they need.”

Once the public consultation period is over, the draft budget will go before a scrutiny panel before being submitted to a full council meeting in February.