Council tax in North East Lincolnshire will increase by 3.98%, with funds allocated to core services and adult social care.
Police and fire services will also raise taxes; the council does not control these increases. Foster carers will now receive a tax break for the first time, benefiting about 100 families. It will cost around £143,000.
Council leader Philip Jackson discussed the budget. He said that it aims to improve life for young people. He mentioned investments in projects like bridge repairs, noting that borrowing is low compared to other councils.
A street cleaning project will cost £200,000. The council will hire more street cleaners, and an ‘Urban Litter Ranger’ will promote anti-littering. Bulky waste collection will offer group bookings.
Most council members backed the street cleaning plan, though they did disagree on the overall budget. Labour called it uninspired. The budget passed 25-13 anyway, with Labour and Reform UK opposing it.
The council plans to sell property for £2 million. This money will fund children’s services changes, where they hope to save £700,000. Capital investment greatly increases to £13.3 million. This supports many regeneration projects in the area.
They will invest more in new trucks. Environmental service vehicles will get replaced, increasing the investment from £673,000 to £1.7 million. The council already made a deal with a fleet supplier.
Council tax provides most of the council’s funds. It should generate £77.4 million, excluding social care taxes. This equals roughly 37 percent of their total funding.
Council tax has increased 42 percent since 2009. However, inflation rose by 45 percent. So, taxes have risen slower than general prices.