Borough council agrees to rise in tax from April

THE borough council is to increase its council tax charge for 2023/24 by £5 (for a band D home) following a decision of the full council at its budget-setting meeting on February 22.

This means the average Band D council tax (including the Special Expense Area) for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council will increase to a charge of £149.87 for the 2023/24 financial year, the lowest in Leicestershire and anticipated to be the 15th lowest in England.

This figure will be supplemented by the charges levied by Leicestershire County Council (£1,525.46), the Police and Crime Commissioner (£273.23) and the Fire Authority (£79.29).

A spokesperson said: “Overall, this increase in council tax and the other measures set out in the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy enable the council to plan with more certainty and to operate a balanced budget.

“Residents are reminded they can pay their bill annually, half-yearly or monthly. In a full year the monthly instalments will normally be paid from April to January, however residents can also opt to pay their council tax over 12 instalments if they prefer.”

Councillor Keith Lynch, executive member responsible for finance, said: “At this time when the country is suffering from a cost of living crisis and many individuals and families are suffering financial hardship, the last thing that this council wants to do is another increase in the council tax.

“However, further reductions in government support grants have put yet more pressure on the council’s finances forcing us to raise the borough council tax by £5 a year (9.6p a week) to try to maintain our present level of public services.

“I am pleased to be able to say that, even after the increase, the Hinckley and Bosworth council tax will still be the lowest in Leicestershire and among the lowest in the country.”

To check what your council tax banding is visit: www.hinckleybosworth.gov.uk/counciltax