Spalding councillor says district authority 'too comfortable' with not debating tax rises - as Long Sutton member slams 'unfair' business rates

A councillor has hit out over his fellow members growing ‘too comfortable’ with maximum tax rises.

Coun Jack McLean criticised councillors for a ‘lack of debate’ over the internal drainage boards (IDB) adding an extra £250-500,000 to their running costs for 2022/23.

The ‘very substantial’ levy figures are said to be due to the ‘extensive use of power and fuel’ for the activities, along with other pressures.

Speaking at South Holland District Council’s joint Performance Monitoring and Policy Development panels, Coun McLean said: “I think that there’s a duty we’re overlooking to debate the maximum allowable council tax increase year on year.

“I think IDB aside, we’ve grown too comfortable that it’s something we should just accept and never really have a discussion or debate on.

“I think for the people that we represent it’s at least incumbent on us to have that debate.

“I think we are overlooking and neglecting that.”

Christine Marshall, deputy chief executive for corporate development, says a ‘very live conversation’ is ongoing with local IDBs, which ‘have been trying to limit future increases’, and the Government.

Ms Marshall added: “We will have to see where the conversation goes. We could get some immediate short term support or not.”

Business rates 'are not fair'

An increase in business rates will see some firms paying more - but this will be split over a three year period.

However, Coun Jack Tyrrell says he thinks the system as a whole is ‘unfair’.

Coun Tyrrell said: “If you’ve got a big shop you pay rates but if you’ve got a small shop or charity shop you don’t.

“I think it’s totally unfair.

“We are losing good shops because they can’t pay the rent. People can’t really afford it as it is now.

Can’t we do anything? Is there a maximum floor space you can go to before it becomes rateable?”

Officers explained that rateable values are set by the Government - not the authority - and that the new rates will be put in place in April.

Coun Tyrrell says he is worried about the future of our towns as bills continue to soar.

He added: I worry about our towns. We seem to neglect our inner towns but do plenty on the outskirts.

“If we didn’t charge rates in the inner town centres it would bring people in.”

Ms Marshall added: “The big test will be when the bills are sent out in April.”

'The whole country is suffering'

Ms Marshall said that she had ‘never set a budget with so many large moving parts before and thought finances would be ‘more stable’ after struggles during Covid.

However, Chairman Andrew Woolf said that rises within the budget were ‘unavoidable’, adding: “It’s a very well worked draft budget. The whole country is suffering.

“No one likes increased costs. Unfortunately they do come up but we are trying to keep them as low as possible.”