2.9% council tax increase for Lincolnshire residents
Reform-led Lincolnshire County Council agreed on the 2026/27 budget
Residents will pay an extra 2.9 per cent tax under Reform’s first budget for Lincolnshire County Council.
Proposals to freeze council tax from Conservatives and to raise it by nearly 5 per cent from Independents were both rejected.
The marathon budget meeting on Friday (February 20) lasted for more than seven hours.
Reform leaders say the increase will be amongst the lowest of any county council, and claim it walks a line between too high and too low.
The authority has been awarded an extra £50million by the government for the next financial year, giving it much more breathing room than expected.
Councillor Tom Catton, the executive for resources, said: “The message from residents has been they are worried about increased council tax, but also about the council not balancing the books and cutting services.”
He said a 2.9 per cent increase would deliver results without increased spending.
Reform was attacked by those who urged both higher and lower council tax, with Tories accusing the administration of breaking their election promises.
Conservative Councillor Richard Davies said it was “only right that the taxpayer share in that benefit” of the increased government funding.
“We’ve got £50million extra in additional income, and aren’t in a financial emergency. This is the first year we can do it responsibly,” he said.
On the other side, Independents proposed a 4.99 per cent council tax rise instead – the highest possible rate – saying it could be used to regenerate poorer areas.
Independent councillor Richard Cleaver said: “It would work out to an extra 44p per week for Band A, and raise £8.6million more funding to support areas which worst need it.
“Communities are crying out for additional funding to address long-term issues neglected for too long. We didn’t expect these extra resources; let’s not squander them.”
Reform said its own proposal wouldn’t tax residents too much, while protecting services.
Executive Growth Councillor Liam Kelly claimed a freeze would “store problems up for the future”, while a higher rate would “squeeze the taxpayer further than we need to”.
A Band D property will pay £1,673.01 for the county portion of the council tax from April.