A recommendation that Erewash Borough Council raises its share of council tax for 2022/23 by 2.54% – a £5 per annum increase – is expected to be sent to the council’s budget setting meeting on 3 March.
A meeting of Council Executive next week (16 February) looks set to agree the rise and send it to next month’s Full Council for approval. It would mean that the council’s charge for a band D property would increase from £196.59 to £201.59 per annum, an increase of 1Op per week.
The expected increase comes as the council – along with all local authorities – continues to face financial pressures, with further challenging issues caused by the pandemic.
A report to councillors says that the on-going uncertainty of additional costs and reduced income – a result of the longer term social and economic impact of COVID-19 – means setting budgets within available resources is especially challenging.
The delay in any changes to how much revenue business rates councils can retain along with the unknown factor of how many businesses impacted by the pandemic will recover make forecasting future income levels even more uncertain.
Councillor Wayne Major, Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, says:
“We have been a strong and robust council with a healthy financial record, working hard to ensure we provide the best frontline services for our residents – and we are very proud of that. I can assure everyone that we will continue that hard work as we face new challenges in setting our budgets due to the wide-ranging effects of the pandemic. We are committed to ensuring that Erewash remains strong.”
Only 11% of the total council tax bill that residents pay goes to the Borough Council. The rest is for services provided by Derbyshire County Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and Parish Councils – Erewash has no control over the charges set by these organisations.
The meeting of Council Executive is at 10.30am on Wednesday 16 February at Ilkeston Town Hall.