Friday 10 February 2023

COUNCILLORS have voted to increase Council Tax in the East Riding by 4.99 per cent – the maximum amount allowed by Government without having to hold a referendum. It will mean a bill for the next financial year for a Band A property will increase by £53.79 a year or £40.34 a year for those claiming the 25% single person discount while those living in Band D properties will see a yearly increase of £80.68 or £60.51 after the single person discount is applied.

Broken down, the increase amounts to a 2.99% rise to support general council services with an additional 2% going towards adult social care. On top of the council’s charge, there will also be additional charges from Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service as well as town/parish councils, which are determined separately.

Despite the increase, the special Budget meeting heard East Riding Council still needs to make savings of £19.3 million from its 2023/24 budget to meet the growing costs of delivering its services and inflationary pressures – the latter are expected to see adult social care costs rise by £13.6 million and energy costs increase by £8.6 million.

Council leader Jonathan Owen (pictured) told us: “Without the 4.99% increase, the council would be facing a base budget deficit of £36 million by 2026/27 and this level of deficit could not be met without additional significant and on-going cuts to services such as our libraries, leisure centres, highways and our adult social care provision.” 

* Anyone who needs financial help or support or who is struggling to pay their council tax should visit www.eastriding.gov.uk/helpforhouseholds