Council Tax To Rise But Extra Flooding Cash

You will be paying more for services provided by Leicestershire County Council from April.

The authority has approved a 4.99% increase in its share of council tax, which equates to an additional £80 a year for those living in a Band D property.

The council, which is responsible for things like adult social care and highways, says it had no choice but to put up the charge due to rising demand and costs.

However, despite the financial pressures, it has agreed an additional £1m of funding in its budget to help with flood clean-up and prevention costs, following the severe flooding in January.

Over 70 properties in the Harborough district were affected by internal flooding, including 55 in Great Glen and a contingent of villagers attended this week’s budget meeting.

Cllr Kevin Feltham, who represents the Gartree Division which includes Great Glen has welcomed the additional cash.

He told the meeting how many residents have still not been able to return to their homes:

Flooding in Great Glen in January

Even with the tax increase, the council is still having to use £6m in reserves to balance the books.

But there will be around £100m more invested to support vulnerable children and adults and an additional £28m for pothole and road repairs.

Residents also pay tax to Harborough District Council – which is also proposing a rise, the police and the fire service – also putting up charges and some parish councils.