There’s new year cheer on the way for hard-pressed residents with Lincolnshire County Council today (Tuesday) expected to freeze council tax.
The county council swallows up around 80 per cent of the overall council tax bill so any increase in its share has a big effect on people’s pockets.
South Holland District Council, which accounts for around ten per cent of the bill, is also expected to go for a freeze or even a small reduction for the coming financial year while South Kesteven District Council – which serves Bourne and The Deepings – is consulting on a planned 4p a week rise on its Band D property charge.
South Holland and the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner will reveal their intended council tax levies in February.
Parish and town councils add the smallest sums to the overall charge, but their precepts are not yet known.
The current overall average Band D charge across South Holland is £1,441.97.
Lincolnshire County Council’s finance settlement from the Government has dropped by £25.4million for the coming year, although it will receive other grants.
The county had a savings target of £27.6million this year, but that will leap to £39.7million in the coming year.
Savings identified so far include shaving £2.5million from adult care through “redesigning service delivery models”.