By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
A council tax rise in Rushcliffe has moved a step closer after senior councillors approved the increase.
During a Rushcliffe Borough Council Cabinet meeting on February 9, councillors unanimously approved the rise of 2.42 per cent from April.
The budget plans will now go to Full Council for final approval on March 3.
The authority said the move would mean it remains in the lowest 25 per cent of council tax charges in the country and the lowest in the county.
District and borough councils are allowed to increase the tax by a maximum of 1.99 per cent or £5 on a Band D property, whichever is higher, without having to hold a referendum on the rise.
Councillor Gordon Moore (Con), Portfolio Holder for Finance, said the authority “appreciates the financial pressures households are facing”.
He added: “This budget is one designed to move on from the impact of Covid and the financial challenges we have been through which in parts we are still facing.
“One issue we have had to seriously consider this year is the effect of inflation, staff pay, costs of supplies and services, particularly utility and fuel costs.
“It is proposed to increase council tax by 2.4 per cent to £150.93 at band D. This equates to an increase of £3.57 per year at band D.
“This will give an average band D council tax increase of 7p per week. This budget means that Rushcliffe’s council tax remains the lowest in Nottinghamshire and amongst the lowest in the country.
“For me, this is an excellent, prudent careful budget to take us into the post Covid era and enabling Rushcliffe Borough Council to continue its excellent service to residents to deliver on our ambition to continue to growth of the borough.”
Nottinghamshire County Council has already confirmed plans for a four per cent hike – three-quarters of which will be used to fund social care services.
Councillor Andy Edyvean (Con) added: “A couple of years ago we were talking about having to borrow some money in order to create our ambitious target and redevelop things in the leisure centre and bring forward the crematorium.
“It’s really pleasing that despite all the challenges, we have managed to bring forward the budget that isn’t going to involve any borrowing at a time when we look around and see many other councils having to borrow money.”
