Council Confirms Council Tax Rise

Residents across Harborough are to pay more for services provided by Leicestershire County Council.

There will be a 4.99% rise in its element of council tax bills, after the authority approved its ‘toughest-ever’ budget.

It means the county council’s share of bills will increase by just over £75 a year for a Band D home across Harborough.

A 3% council tax increase for its core services will be introduced by the authority, along with a 2% increase in the adult social care precept, to raise a total of £18m.

The council is seeking to address a £6m shortfall next year, which could rise to an estimated £83m by 2028 and will use £6m of reserves for the first time to balance its books.

It will spend £129m to meet demand, mainly in social care, and another £113m to cover rises in wages and inflation.

Cllr Lee Breckon, cabinet member for resources, said: “Councils across the country face eye-watering challenges.

“Thanks to taking tough decisions, and saving £262m since 2010, we’re not at crisis point.

“We’re proud about being open and highly efficient and we’ll continue to work with Government ministers on the reform needed to help us do more for our residents.

“This is our toughest ever budget but we’re doing the best we can with the money we have, and I’m pleased that most people who responded to our consultation support the approach.

“And it’s good news that extra Government funding means we can scale back waste site closures and invest in tackling flooding.”

Harborough District Council is proposing no rise in its share of council tax bills.