Public consultation launched on proposed Council Tax rise for Harborough District residents - The Rugby Observer

Public consultation launched on proposed Council Tax rise for Harborough District residents

Rugby Editorial 17th Jan, 2022   0

A RISE in Council Tax for residents in the Lutterworth area is part of a proposed budget being put out to public consultation by Harborough District Council (HDC).

The council is proposing to increase its share of Council Tax by £5 a year per Band D household – the maximum rise permitted by Government – to help close a budget gap.

HDC says it still faces ‘significant financial challenges’ after last year’s budget review programme to ease a shortfall of £4million created annual savings of £3.1million.

The council says the pandemic has also resulted in ‘significant loss of revenue’.




And its funding from Government has plummeted since the Revenue Support Grant – which provided HDC with over £2.3million in 2013-14, according to figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – was phased out in 2019-20.

The council says there will be continued investment into community support, protecting the environment, business support, leisure facilities, new technology, community assets and infrastructure.


HDC Deputy Leader and finance spokesman Coun James Hallam said: “While we have proposed an increase in our share of the Council Tax bill, we believe this still represents excellent value for money, with the continued delivery of high quality services and significant investment which will see tangible benefits for residents and businesses.

“It’s also worth noting that since 2011, there has only been an increase in our share of the Council Tax bill of just over £8. There has been in-depth work to identify savings across the council, to address financial challenges and losses in revenue due to the pandemic, as we focus positively on delivering our vision through our revised Corporate Plan.”

The Council Tax bill contributes to public services and includes precepts from Leicestershire County Council, Police and Crime Commissioner, Harborough District Council, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue, and Parish Councils.

HDC’s Draft Budget 2022-23 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2023-24 to 2026-27 is now open for public consultation.

The council’s Cabinet will make its formal recommendations on the proposed budget on February 7, and will be voted on by the full council on February 21.

Visit www.harborough.gov.uk/consultation to take part in the consultation, which closes on February 6.

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