The Government has given South Kesteven District Council permission to put up its council tax by more than the nationally-prescribed two per cent.
It means the council has the chance to increase the Band D level payment by £5 a year (around 10p per week) because it falls into the bottom 50 councils nationally for the amount of tax it charges for its services.
The effect will be proportionally less in Grantham where nearly three-quarters of properties fall into Bands A and B, meaning the likely increase for district council services could be around 6p per week.
Council leader, Councillor Linda Neal, said she wanted to take into account the views of local people about the proposal, so a week-long consultation period begins today (Friday).
Coun Neal said: “The Government has recognised spending cuts have posed particular difficulties for councils which are already low cost. We have been given dispensation in recognition of the fact we are a well-run and efficient council.
“The Government has also recognised urban councils receive 50 per cent more per head of population than rural areas, despite evidence that many services in districts like ours are more expensive to deliver because we cover such a large area.”
******** Residents can make their comments on the proposal through the council’s website: www.southkesteven.gov.uk/counciltax2013 or write free to: Council Tax Debate, Communications, Freepost GN48, South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, St Peter’s Hill, Grantham NG31 6Pz. There will be a drop-in discussion session for the Grantham area at the Guildhall Arts Centre on Tuesday, February 5, from 2-5pm.
The date of the drop-in discussion at the Guildhall is printed in today’s Journal as Monday. The date should read Tuesday, February 5.
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