2.5 per cent tax hike 'set to help residents'
Council tax bills for Lincoln residents are to rise by 2.5 per cent from April, it has been confirmed.
The City of Lincoln Council, which a sets the rate for the district, rubber stamped the increase at a full council meeting last night.
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Council tax bills for Lincoln residents are to rise by 2.5 per cent from April.
This means the Tory-run authority's portion will increase by £5.76 per year on a Band D property, bringing the total to be collected yearly to £1481.22p – a rise of around 71p a week.
Leader of the council Councillor Darren Grice said: "Council tax is the third biggest income for the authority, way behind the grant from Central Government and the money we raise through charging for certain services.
"We appreciate that the economic situation for our residents is challenging and took this into consideration when setting the new rate."
West Lindsey District Council has also given the nod to a record-low increase of just 0.48 per cent, which amounts to around 90p a year for Band D properties.
New bills will be sent out by the end of the month.
The rate was discussed as part of the council's five-year financial plan, which included setting the net budget for the coming year at £16.8 million.
Plans outlined will see pensioners remain on the previous year's council tax rate, grants allocated to improve parks and play schemes and concessionary travel being taken over by Lincolnshire County Council next year.
According to the council this latest budget is about consolidating savings which have been made through a review of services, rather than reviewing how resources are used.
It was also announced members would have their allowances frozen and employees would not get any pay rise over the next financial year.
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by Ian, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 5:55PM
“Joe, I think you are half right. The trouble is a local income tax can be only levied on those who work.
You could still have six people living in a small house and only one (employed( person paying tax and a professional retired couple paying two lot of tax.
The poll tax (with the same allowances for those on benefits as council tax) is a fairer but a more unpopular way.”
by Joe, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 5:11PM
“Isn't it time for a local income tax to replace Council Tax altogether?
The present system is bizarre, in that it charges two retired pensioners who happen still to live in a large house as much as three times more than six wage earners living in a small house.
It's all just a tax in reality anyway - surely fairer to base it on income than on house values.”
by lynn, lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 4:15PM
“Shirley, I don't mind about the increase, what's the use anyway, we can't stop it happening. My husband and myself are both pensioners, albeit we're both not State pension age yet!”
by Ian, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 4:06PM
“'Then would you care to explain why it's gone up by around 105% since 1997'
That is something you will have to ask of the Labour Government about the way they fund councils and the shifting of the tax burden.”
by tommy tucker, boston
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 3:06PM
“Ken Barlow where are you now ?????
HANG YOUR HEAD IN SAME”
by Ian, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 3:01PM
“Too much,
You are talking about a poll tax.
You are right individually we would pay less. But people will still hate it, because those with more than two adults in a property will feel the are being penalised.
You have to ask is it fair that a couple living in a band D house has to pay more than a family of four living in a band B house?
I don't think so.”
by shirley, washingborough
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 2:58PM
“That is dont mind not mine oops”
by s.steele, washingborough
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 2:55PM
“its ok lynn you saying dont mine come on get real council tax is way to high. You must be not in recession like most then my husband has a good well paid job and we have even noticed big difference in everything. Bet even darren grice moaning. Have not a clue how these young ones going to live in years to come. The country is in a mess yes and no tory labour going to do much good.”
by Missouri Marten, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 2:51PM
“"It is called inflation and it effects (sic) everyone and every business even councils."
Is that so Ian? Then would you care to explain why it's gone up by around 105% since 1997, whilst inflation for the same period has averaged around 1.5% pa? And how is that by comparison, bills in Scotland have increased by 47% in the same period and Scotland's 32 councils have agreed to a council tax freeze for the third year running?”
by Al, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 2:50PM
“Sounds like you're referring to the Poll Tax - that was a fair system, but all of a sudden people did not want to pay for what they used! Wages freezes, wage cuts, job losses and the CT goes up - should have been frozen. And how much will Lincs Police want this year?”