East Yorkshire Residents Face Big Hike In Council Tax Bills

A council tax increase of 4.99% for the financial year 2023/24 has been approved by councillors in the East Riding.

The East Riding of Yorkshire council approved the 4.99% increase at a special budget meeting, the maximum amount allowed by the government without a referendum.

As the council tries to maintain delivering services despite rising inflation and energy costs, the new rate will raise an additional £ 9.9 million of income, broken down into 2.99% for general council services and 2% for adult social care.

As well as the council’s charge, there will be additional charges from Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and town/parish councils.

An increase of 4.99% on the council’s part of the council tax bill for a Band A property in the next financial year will be £53.79 a year for those claiming the 25% single person discount or £40.34 a year for those living in Band D properties, while a yearly increase of £80.68 or £60.51 after a single person discount is applied to Band D properties.

In order to meet the growing costs of delivering its services, the council must still make savings of £19.3 million from its 2023/24 budget, as well as absorb the impact of significant cost increases resulting from inflationary pressures, which will result in an increase in adult social care costs of £13.6 million and energy costs of £8.6 million in 2023.

But while savings do need to be made, the council has identified a number of areas for potential investment under its capital programme and these include:

• the continued build of affordable homes through the housing revenue account to assist in meeting demand for council housing
• developing accommodation for vulnerable people to support them to remain at home and within their community for longer, reducing the need for long term care and maximising independence
• developing the special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) strategy to assist in addressing the shortfall in suitable complex needs provision within the East Riding.

Councillor Jonathan Owen, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The cost of living crisis has hit us all hard over the last year and while I understand the financial pressures facing our residents, the council too has its own pressures which we need to address.

“We are taking action to reduce our costs while making sure the council is best positioned to face future challenges and support the local community in a sustainable manner.

“But despite this, and without the 4.99% increase in council tax for this next financial year, the council would be facing a base budget deficit of £36million 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.

“Our residents have told us these are the services they want so we need to act now to protect them for the future.

“I do understand these are difficult times financially for people but there is a whole host of help and support available for those who are struggling under the council’s Help for Households campaign.”