The North East Lincolnshire Council’s draft budget hints at a slight council tax rise, with discussions set to start soon.
Grimsby: The North East Lincolnshire Council is rolling out a draft budget that suggests a small increase in council tax this year. It’s not a huge jump, just a 1.98% rise on the core tax, plus a 2% bump for social care. They’re keeping it modest this time around.
Councillors will dive into the details next week, gearing up for a big decision on February 20. Last year, they went for a near-max increase, but this year feels a bit different. They’re trying to balance the budget while facing a projected £4 million gap by 2026/27.
They’re also looking at a drop in reserves, which could fall by £3.5 million. The council is waiting on the government to finalize funding details, expected in February. They still need to figure out how to cover the rising national insurance costs too.
Some interesting points in the draft include a £2 million plan for using capital receipts to fund future projects and a £3.1 million grant to prepare for increased waste disposal needs starting in 2026. Plus, for the first time, foster carers will get 100% council tax relief, which is a nice touch for about 100 households.
Looking ahead, they expect business rates to improve as new projects like the Freshney Place leisure scheme get underway. By 2025/26, they’re hoping business rates will bring in over £55 million, which is a big chunk of their funding.
