Council tries to combat tax raise

Holbeach Parish Council has raised its precept by £31.

A spokesman for the council said this is a positive increase, given the local and national tax and wage hikes.

He said: “Every year the local county, district and parish councils deliberate their budgets and set the local council tax rate for each home.

“In this time of rising costs with Lincolnshire County Council proposing rises of 3.95 per cent for the 2018-2019 year, Holbeach Parish Council at last Monday night’s meeting agreed a precept almost matching the previous year; coming in only £31 higher, despite the UK experiencing 4.4 per cent wage cost increases and inflation sitting at 3.1 per cent.

“This year has already seen such services as verge cutting adopted by the parish council as the district and county cut local services in a bid to achieve strict austerity rules.”

Coun Paul Brighton, Chairman of Finance, said the council has acted responsibly in the face of external pressure.

“There have been some real pressures on the budget as the costs of maintaining the Parish are rising all the time, especially as Holbeach grows.

“One of the briefs for members setting the budgets this year was to try avoid an increase as our way of doing something to give back. It’s been through the hard work of the councillors and the office that has brought the budget in by 0.02 per cent.

“By highlighting savings and getting the best value for money, savings have been achieved.”

A parish council spokesman said: “Areas of improvement were seen in office admin costs, property costs and grants.”