West Lindsey District Council agrees tax rise

West Lindsey District Council residents will pay an extra £7 in council tax next year after a rise was agreed.

The leader of the council says the increase represents “extremely good value” for the services offered.

The unanimous decision was reached after councillors said the authority couldn’t afford not to have significant rises every year.

Council tax bills for the district will go up by 2.98 per cent – just under the maximum allowed – which is equivalent to a £7.21 increase for Band D properties.

The budget by the controlling Liberal Democrat group received unanimous support from the full council meeting on Monday (March 3).

Leader Councillor Trevor Young (Lib Dem) said after the meeting: “When you look at everything happening in local government – underfunding, inflation, the cost of living crisis – an extra 13p a week represents extremely good value.

“If we don’t increase by near the maximum, there’s a risk that the government will give us less funding in future.

“We still have very exciting plans in the budget, including the regeneration of Gainsborough town centre, the introduction of two hours’ free parking in Gainsborough and the continuation of our successful community grants.”

Conservative Councillor Roger Patterson said: “Sadly, we have little choice [but to raise council tax] with the funding we currently get.

“If that changes then we can go back to the days when we debate whether to freeze, drop or raise it.

“The only way we can survive is to ask people to pay more, which is unfair on the taxpayer.”

The budget for 2025/26 also includes cash to refurbish West Lindsey Leisure Centre in Gainsborough.

Several councillors praised the community grants scheme, which will be continuing, with Councillor Stephen Bunney praising how “marvellous” a village hall looked after the money paid for a refurbishment.