By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has outlined plans to increase council tax for every household in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Caroline Henry (Con), who was elected to the role in 2021, has put forward a £14.94 increase on ‘Band D’ homes for the coming financial year.
For residents living in ‘Band A’ homes, which make up most homes across the city and county, the rise would mean a £9.96 increase in annual bills.
The rise is slightly below the maximum Band D rise of £15 allowed for the coming financial year.
The increase will be discussed by the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel on Tuesday, February 7 when councillors will be asked to approve the rise.
In a report, Mrs Henry said: “In all three years to 2022/23, PCCs were to be allowed to increase Band D bills by as much as £10.
“In December 2022, this was increased from £10 to £15.
“Whilst I welcome the additional precept flexibility, I am mindful that this places further burden on taxpayers, particularly when households are already facing incredible financial pressures.”
What other rises can we expect?
Alongside the police rise, the Nottinghamshire Fire Authority – which sets the budgets for the fire service – is planning a £5 rise for every home.
The precepts for the two emergency services make up slightly less than 15 per cent of every home’s collection bills for the coming financial year.
The remaining 85 per cent of bills depends on which part of the city or county people live in.
Nottingham
For people living in Nottingham, the city council takes the remaining 85 per cent as a single, unitary authority.
The Labour-led council is proposing a 4.99 per cent rise – the most it is allowed to take – leading to an increase of £65.04 for Band A or £97.57 for Band D.
When combined with the emergency services, the total Band A city rise is expected to be £80 exactly, with Band D to pay £117.51 more.
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire has a two-tier system and so here the county council takes about 75 per cent of all bills.
The remaining 10 per cent goes to district and borough councils, who all decide their own precepts.
The Conservative-run county council is proposing a 4.84 per cent rise from April, working out at £53.05 for Band A or £79.57 for Band D.
When combined with the emergency service rises, it means all Band A Nottinghamshire homes will pay at least £68.01 more, with Band D to pay at least £99.51 more.
Bills then increase further depending on the precepts of each district and borough council – with all authorities allowed a maximum 2.99 per cent rise.
Mansfield District Council has already approved a freeze on its portion of the bill, meaning Mansfield residents will not pay the authority more and are likely to pay less than other areas.
However, using Broxtowe Borough Council as an example, a 2.99 per cent rise would lead to a Band A rise of £3.53 and £5.29 for Band D.
Most other councils have similar council tax rates to Broxtowe, meaning total increases for Band A are expected to be about £72 for Band A and about £105 for Band D.
