Have your say on council tax proposals

South Kesteven District Council is asking residents and businesses for feedback on Council Tax proposals for 2023/24.

The consultation runs for two weeks from today (Monday 16 January) and asks for views on a proposal to increase SKDC’s element of Council Tax by £5 for properties in Band D for the 2023/24 financial year, as well as feedback on spending priorities. This equates to an increase of 9.6p per week.

The increase for households in Bands A, B and C would be less than £5 (6.4p extra per week for a property in Band A), while those in Bands E, F, G and H would see an average increase of more than £5 – but no more than £10.

The survey includes updates on projects SKDC has been working on in each of its priority areas – growth and the economy, housing, healthy and strong communities, the environment and performance.

It also illustrates how only nine pence from every pound goes towards paying for the 100-plus services provided by the district council. The remainder is passed onto Lincolnshire County Council and the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner, as SKDC has the responsibility of collecting it on their behalf. A small proportion is also passed onto town and parish councils to fund services provided at a very local level.

Cllr Adam Stokes, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Leisure, said: “In common with many other organisations, the Council is preparing its budget for 2023/24 against a backdrop of high energy costs and significant inflationary pressures.

“We remain ambitious however and are confident that by doing all we can to reduce costs and attract funding from other sources, we can balance our books.

“An increase of £5 per Band D property in SKDC’s element of Council Tax for the 2023/24 financial year will help to generate around ££250,000 of additional income.

“This contribution will help to sustain day-to-day services such as refuse collection, street cleaning and CCTV, as well as offset the costs of longer-term projects across the district.

“These include providing opportunities for growth, improving local neighbourhoods and town centres, focusing on initiatives that target homelessness, and supporting local businesses through the administration of a business rate relief scheme.

“It is really important that local communities use this opportunity to have their say on the level of funding available. Please spare us a few moments to tell us what you think.”

SKDC will make a decision on the proposal to increase its element of Council Tax by £5 per Band D property for 2023/24 on 1 March 2023.

The consultation closes on January 30 2023.

The survey can be completed here: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ctaxskdc2324

Or by scanning the QR code below: