Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) has announced today the majority of householders here in Ruddington and elsewhere should see no increase in its share of our Council Tax for the twelve months from this April. However, this freeze is still subject to a Full Council vote.
In a move which RBC says further reflects the ongoing ‘cost-of-living crisis’, it’s proposed that properties in bands A to D would see no increase at all. On February 14th the Cabinet will also discuss proposals to discount Council Tax bills for those in bands A to D – which includes over 60% of properties in the Borough. The discount would be applied from April 5th 2023 when new bills are issued for the new Council Tax year. It means most residents would not pay the proposed below inflation increase of £3.02 or 2% on a band D property for the Rushcliffe part of their bill.
The Full RBC Council meeting on March 2nd will discuss the Cabinet’s proposed outcome on the budget from the February 14th meeting. The discount could be introduced in addition to central government’s Council Tax Support Fund providing up to £25 reduction on Council Tax bills for those in receipt of Local Council Tax Support. If approved, RBC’s Council Tax precept will become the lowest in Nottinghamshire.
The Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance and Customer Access, Cllr Gordon Moore, says: “We will discuss this proposed budget mindful of the current cost of living issues and we are proposing to remain the lowest council tax charge in Nottinghamshire and within the lowest 25% in the country. Should it be agreed at Cabinet and then at a Full Council meeting in March, it will mean no increase in council tax for those residents in Council Tax Bands A to D.”
He adds: “We need to ensure the Council’s services and resources are sufficient to meet both current and future needs in the face of the challenge of a tough financial climate. However we are doing so without impacting further on a majority of resident’s pockets, appreciating the financial pressures households are facing. We are committed to providing excellent value services for our residents whilst delivering major new infrastructure … and a commitment to our climate change reduction initiatives.”
However, Rushcliffe homes in bands E to H – which includes numerous properties in the more ‘affluent’ Manor Park and Old Loughborough Road areas of Ruddington – will see their RBC share of Council Tax rise.
Moreover, that’s not the full story for Ruddington. Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) is planning a rise in its portion of our Council Tax by an average of 4%. This dwarfs the amounts we pay to RBC, Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Ruddington Parish Council for their services. So far, Conservative-led NCC has approved the first stages of its budget, meaning this rise is a step closer to being imposed.
We’ll keep you posted on the latest village Council Tax news here at RUDDINGTON.info.
