£5 council tax rise for East Northamptonshire residents

This was the final budget set by the council before unitary reorganisation.

East Northamptonshire residents will pay out an extra £5 a year for borough council services.

In its last ever budget setting on Monday night (March 2) East Northamptonshire council decided to charge the extra amount – which amounts to nine pence a week – and takes the band d total for borough council services to £148.56.

The amount is still the lowest amount in the county, which means that council tax levels are likely to rise more sharply for East Northamptonshire residents when the new North Northamptonshire unitary is created in April 2021 and council tax levels begin to be harmonised.

Leader of ENC Cllr Steven North said: “As a council, we have always been prudent on council tax and will go towards the new North Northamptonshire Council with one of the lowest rates in the country.

“Increasing council tax, even by a small amount, is not a decision we take lightly, however the financial climate in which local government operates continues to be a challenge and we always have one eye on the future, as well as delivering current projects and working with the community.

“Over the past year, we have continued to deliver economic growth, including developments such as Enterprise Centre East Northants and Rushden Lakes, whilst remaining mindful of residents and local businesses. ENC Officers and councillors continue to work closely, supporting the community across the district and most recently our commercial and economic and business rates team have supported businesses at Rushden Lakes affected by recent bad weather.

“With all these factors in mind, we agreed a very small increase, which for a Band D property works out at £5 over the year and equates to 3.48% overall for all households.”

In total the council’s budget for the coming 2020/21 financial year will be £13m.

At the meeting the council’s chief finance officer Glenn Hammons spelled out the uncertainies that still lay ahead for local government finance with a spending review – which will reveal the total pot the Government will give to councils – and the fairer funding review – which says how much each council will receive – still to come this year.