Council tax up by the max as a 5% increase is given the go-ahead

LACK OF FAIR FUNDING AND COVID PANDEMIC BLAMED FOR RISE ABOVE INFLATION

HOUSEHOLDERS in Leicestershire face a 5 per cent rise in the county component of their council tax bills from April.

Councillors blamed lack of fair funding and financial pressures as a result of the pandemic for the inflation-busting increase.

County Hall’s share of the tax will rise by the maximum 1.99 per cent allowed, while the adult social care precept has also been increased by the maximum permitted – 2.99 per cent.

That equates to £5.59 a month for a band D house.

Police, the fire service and district and parish councils have yet to confirm how much they will charge for their share of the bills.

Opposition councillors accused the Tory administration of a failure to secure fair funding.

Liberal Democrat finance spokesman, Councillor Michael Mullaney, said opportunities had been missed to level up.

He said: “This Conservative administration made fair funding its flagship policy.

“It has mentioned it many times over the years and there were specific openings when there was real potential to secure it.

“Fair funding has been a total failure and the people of Leicestershire will be the ones who will miss out.”

Council leader Nick Rushton said: “Not a day goes by that we don’t continue to lobby for fair funding.

“You’re right we haven’t got it so far, but we will not give up. We promised we would protect the vulnerable. That represents 75 per cent of our budget.

“When we had our member meeting it was exceedingly difficult to ask fellow Tories to vote for the maximum increase.

“It’s with a heavy heart we do it. But if we want to keep our promises we have to do it.”

Labour leader Councillor Dr Terri Eynon also asked about fair funding and said other “long-promised reforms” also needed addressing. She said: “We cannot, as a matter of principle, support a 3 per cent social care precept.

“We need to make it clear that we believe it is wrong. “It is wrong to shift the financing of adult social care away from general taxation and on to domestic ratepayers.

“As they are not prepared to challenge the government, it is down to us to do so.”

There were 34 votes in favour of the budget, 17 against.

A £450 million, four-year capital pot was also approved as part of the budget.

Included is £70 million to improve and maintain roads and bridges, £120 million for improving transport infrastructure and £72 million for extra school places, including special educational needs provision.

It is wrong to shift the financing of adult social care away from general taxation and on to domestic ratepayers.

Labour leader Dr Terri Eynon