Council tax bills to rise across all Lincolnshire districts… how much is your hike?
Council tax bills will rise across the board from April, with every council in Lincolnshire voting to put them up.
Authorities say that rising costs and lower-than-hoped levels of government funding are putting a real strain on their budgets.
Council tax freezes have become a thing of the past – the question for the 2025/26 financial year is how much more residents will be asked to pay.
The answer depends on where you live.
Around three-quarters of everything householders pay typically goes to the county council, with the rest shared between district or borough councils, Lincolnshire Police, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service and their parish council, if they have one.
All figures are for Band D properties, which is used as a the baseline, however residents pay more or less depending on which band their homes are in.
Lincolnshire County Council
The lion’s share of all council tax collected goes to the county council, which is responsible for roads, education and social care.
Upper-tier authorities like this can raise tax by up to 4.99 per cent each year to pay for these extra requirements.
However, this year the Conservative-run council opted for only 2.99 per cent, which means Band D homes will pay £47.16 more for a total of £1,625.80.
Leader Martin Hill said the authority faced “new financial burdens and even less money for local services.”
Lincolnshire Police
The police force opted for almost the highest possible increase as the commissioner admitted they were in “dire straits”.
Around 400 jobs could be cut due to a £14m blackhole in their budget for the coming year.
Tax for Band D residents across the county will rise by 4.95%, meaning they will pay £13.95 more for a total of £318.15.
Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones (Con), who made the decision, asked the government whether he could make a higher increase without a public vote, but was turned down.
South Holland
South Holland was another council to opt for a maximum increase of 2.99 per cent.
This means band D residents will pay £7.11 more, with a total bill coming to £208.53.
Deputy leader Paul Redgate said it had been an “extremely challenging” budget, and criticised lower government support for rural areas.
South Kesteven
The Independent council at South Kesteven agreed a 2.8 per cent rise, which will leave Band D residents paying an extra £5.51, working out to £189.37 from April.
Leader Ashley Baxter said the authority had put together a “marvellous budget” but that budget pressures would be felt over the next few years.
Boston Borough
Boston Borough Council opted for a full 2.99 per cent increase, costing Band D homes an extra £7.56 for a total £223.65.
Leader Anne Dorrian (Ind) said it had been an ‘extremely challenging’ year for the authority, where the majority of properties are in lower council tax bands.
East Lindsey
East Lindsey’s Conservative council agreed a 2.97% last night. This will mean a £4.95 increase on 2024/24, with the total bill for the year coming to £171.54.
Lincoln
The City of Lincoln Council unanimously agreed a 2.9 per cent rise this week, with opposition leaders saying they didn’t want to make it a “political issue”.
Band D residents will pay £316 across the year – £9 more than 2024/25 – with the authority saying cash will be spent on a positive vision for the city.
North Kesteven
Residents in North Kesteven received the lowest increase in the county – 2.61 per cent – which is a £4.95 increase for a total of £194.40.
The Conservative council leader Richard Wright said these were “far from the best times” for councils but the authority was on stable financial footing.
West Lindsey
The Liberal Democrat administration at West Lindsey District Council voted for a 2.98 per cent increase, which translates to an extra £7 for Band D.
Leader Trevor Young said an extra 13p a week was “extremely good value” for the services offered.
