Leicestershire County Council Approves 2.99% Council Tax Rise

Leicestershire County Council has agreed a new budget, including a 2.99% rise in Council Tax — the first time in over a decade that the maximum increase hasn’t been applied.

The levy adds around £50 a year for a Band D property from April and is expected to generate £13 million to help meet rising demand for services.

Most other second-tier authorities nationwide are set to increase their share of the bill by 4.99% – the maximum allowed without a referendum.

The budget also provides extra funding for social care, roads, schools, and local services including bus routes and footpaths.

Cllr Harrison Fowler, cabinet member for resources, welcomed the plan and said it was a long-term ambition for the council to freeze its share of council tax:

Opposition councillors raised concerns over the use of reserves to cover a projected £15 million shortfall in 2026/27.

A Liberal Democrat amendment to the budget, providing a £425,000 package including £160,000 for footpath maintenance and £120,000 a year to subsidise village bus routes, was approved with Reform support.

The council’s Conservative group proposed additional spending on footpath improvements, gully clearing, and grit bins, alongside savings from scrapping the printed newsletter Leicestershire Matters and the council chairman’s annual lunch allowance.

However, the proposals were rejected by Reform UK members, with Liberal Democrats abstaining.