The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Council tax bills for South Holland residents for 2017/18 are about to be issued showing an increase for district council services.
It comes after district councillors approved the authority’s budget for the next financial year.
Sixty per cent of homes in South Holland are in the lowest two bands. Band A properties will increase by 6p per week while band B properties are up 7p per week. The rise equates to 3.13 per cent.
The council said: “This small increase was agreed in order to protect frontline services following heavy reductions in government funding.”
Portfolio holder for finance, Coun Peter Coupland, said the move will ensure weekly refuse and recycling collections and environmental services will continue, whilst the authority continues to develop income-generating sources.
He added: “A council tax rise goes against my inclination but we simply are not prepared to lose essential services that our residents rely on.
“We are in financially challenging times and have seen our annual Revenue Support Grant reduced by £600,000, which combined with drainage board payments of £2.35m, puts us under heavy pressure to find efficiency savings.
“However, through prudent financial management and our innovative approach to income generation, we are providing a balanced budget for 2017-18.
“We continue to look for further efficiency savings whilst maintaining and enhancing the key services that our residents rely on – through our ambitious change programme, Moving Forward.”
Last year the council embarked on a four-year financial plan, which aims to secure a financially stable future despite continued reductions in funding.
