By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Ashfield District Council has voted to raise council tax for residents, saying it was a “last resort” to boost their finances.
The 2.94 per cent rise will mean that homes in the lowest value ‘Band A’ category – the most common in the district – will pay an extra £3.95 per year.
A full council meeting on Monday (March 4) was able to set a balanced budget for the next 12 months, although shortfalls are predicted for the next two months.
The total annual cost for Band A over 2024/25 will be £138.09, while Band B will rise £4.60 to £161.10.
Homes in Band C will pay an additional £5.26 for a total of £184.12, and Band D will rise £5.92 to a total of £207.13.
The council opted for slightly less than a maximum rise (2.99 per cent for district and borough councils) which many other authorities have been forced to adopt this year.
The increase will raise an additional £7.1m over the next 12 months.
Ashfield District Council is currently forecasting a budget gap of £1.5m for the financial year 2025/26 and another £5.4m for 2026/27.
Councillor Rachel Madden, Executive Lead Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits said: “Raising council tax is a last resort but represents a few pence a week for the vast majority of residents.
“We recognise the strain that rocketing budgets have had on Ashfield residents, with soaring inflation and big rises in the cost of living.
“We have the most generous Council Tax support scheme possible, and this will continue to protect the most financially vulnerable across Ashfield from any rise at all.
“As the authority that is required to issue the bills and collect the payments, residents often think the District Council is receiving all of the money, but this is not the case.
“Ashfield District Council delivers a huge number of services including the Big Ashfield Spring Clean, events, leisure facilities and community safety, all for less pence out of every pound collected, with the vast share being taken by Nottinghamshire County Council.”
