Rutland County Council's tax increase is 'only possible option'

Cabinet members on Rutland County Council have approved a 4.99% council tax increase, saying it was “the only possible option”.

The 4.99% rise in the county council's share of the bill represents a 2.99% increase in council tax, plus a 2% increase in the adult social care levy.

It is the maximum amount a local authority may increase the precept by.

Speaking to members of the cabinet at their meeting on Thursday (January 12), council leader Lucy Stephenson (Con) said: “Under the current economic conditions, councils are struggling like never before.

“Rutland is in a better position than many other authorities due to years of careful financial management and we have a plan to save £4.9m over the next four years, to help us close our funding gap.

“However, the situation remains precarious. With inflation at around 10%, we expect costs to keep rising and we don’t know how much funding we will get in the future.

“We would like a five-year funding settlement from the government to help us plan but have been given a one-year settlement, which is far from ideal.

“This budget is about making sure we remain financially stable and independent despite economic pressures and a lot of uncertainty around our future funding.”

Rutland County Council is inviting its residents and businesses to comment on the range of proposals that make up the 2023/24 budget by accessing the council’s website.

Anyone wishing to make an online comment can do so at: www.rutland.gov.uk/budget

The consultation on the draft budget is now live and runs from now until 5pm on Friday, February 3.

Councillors will then consider all comments made before a final budget meeting where the council are required to set a balanced budget at the start of each year.

That meeting will be on Monday, February 27, 2023.