A below-inflation budget for North Lincolnshire residents will supercharge the post-Covid recovery and continue to protect the most vulnerable people.
In the coming year, the council will spend almost £170m on its residents with more than 80 per cent used for vulnerable children, families, older people and those with disabilities.
The budget – of which £100m comes from Government – includes investments to radically enhance the environment in every community across North Lincolnshire, enable businesses to create more new jobs, fast-track road infrastructure upgrades and crack down even further on anti-social behaviour while protecting the most vulnerable.
It is designed to super-charge recovery and growth in North Lincolnshire, driving prosperity and enabling the many communities of North Lincolnshire to flourish.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This inflation-busting budget recognises that people are feeling the pinch through global inflation while still enabling the council to prioritise the most vulnerable people here in North Lincolnshire.
“As we truly begin to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, we will be investing heavily in our young people – from continuing the Imagination Library scheme which sees 7,000 under fives get free books every month to major capital allocations for school buildings to ensure they can maintain their excellent education.
“We’ll be supporting our communities further, enabling them to recover properly from the impact of the pandemic and ensuring that they are even better placed to take advantage of the many opportunities coming to North Lincolnshire.
“The plans will support businesses to create jobs, creating a more attractive environment for businesses to invest so we help create more highly-skilled, well-paid, sustainable jobs in Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire.”
Spending plans include protecting free parking in Ashby, Brigg and Scunthorpe, the continuation of the Imagination Library, the planting of thousands of trees, additional investment to extend footpaths across the county, increasing visitors to the Baths Hall, and protecting concessionary fares for older and disabled people.
The inflation-busting budget means general council tax will increase by 0.89 per cent and the adult social care precept increase by two per cent.
Inflation in January, according to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), stood at 5.5 per cent.
The small increase is being offset further by the Government’s £150 rebate for people living in Band A-D properties (the majority of homes in North Lincolnshire) which is designed to assist households with cost-of-living pressures.
Cllr Waltham said: “We have had unprecedented levels of support from the Government throughout the last two years – more than £200m alone in North Lincolnshire.
“That support continues and means that the majority of people across the area, and particularly those who need it the most, will pay less council tax in the coming year than they did last year.”
