ON AIR NOW:

North Lincolnshire council tax budget meeting adjourned as man taken ill

North Lincolnshire Council‘s budget meeting was unexpectedly abandoned and adjourned after a man was taken ill.

Council tax for 2024/25 in North Lincolnshire and the council’s budget for the year ahead was due to be set. The meeting was suddenly abandoned after a man was taken ill. His family have been informed.

Another meeting will have to be held shortly to formally pass a budget for the council. At the time of writing, this was to be held on Monday, February 26.

Read More:

The individual who was taken ill received medical treatment at Church Square House, the council’s HQ. They responded to treatment, and were later taken to hospital.

The Conservative ruling group had set a motion down for a 3.74 per cent rise in council tax, made up of a 1.99 per cent core council tax rise, and a 1.75 per cent adult social care precept increase. For two-thirds of North Lincolnshire households, who live in council tax bands A and B, this would work out to a 92p a week increase on their bill.

The proposed council tax rise for 2024/25 by the Conservatives is not at the maximum possible rates within referendum limits. Local authorities can raise core council tax by up to 2.99 per cent, and the ringfenced adult social care charge by up to 1.99 per cent.

Last year, only the adult social care precept was increased, and not by the maximum level. The Labour opposition group warned of the financial consequences to the council in not passing the recommended maximum increase by council officers.

“The taxpayer continues to be sovereign in this council and their values matter the most,” said council leader Cllr Rob Waltham, proposing the Conservative motion. He later added: “In the interests of supporting our residents and our hard-working taxpayers, again we are keeping our promise to continue to be a low tax council ensuring that our residents’ pound is best served in their pockets than ours for more choice and economic stability that Conservative policies ensure.” The overall budget proposed he said aimed to regenerate the area and provide employment opportunities.

Labour group leader Cllr Len Foster highlighted use of council reserves to pay for the proposed budget. In reference to the Conservative group’s proposal, he said: “The motion put before us takes £4m out of our diminishing reserves.” He said Labour councillors’ briefing with council financial officers had highlighted the council’s difficult position in the next three years. “When we’re told that our whole financial structure is at risk, we should listen to them.”



Cllr Len Foster, Labour group leader, with Sir Keir Starmer in the background.
Cllr Len Foster, Labour group leader, with Sir Keir Starmer in the background.

“We will be at a point where we’re touching our rainy day money,” said Cllr Foster. “The Labour group has real concerns about this council’s long-term financial security and its ability to fulfil statutory duties,” said Labour’s deputy leader Cllr Tony Gosling. It had no desire to see it served with a S114 notice – the equivalent of a council declaring bankruptcy.

Labour’s amendment proposed also some support for specific projects. This included the creation of a proper nature park at Ashby Ville to provide a safe area, as Cllr Gosling put it.

Want to sign up to the Scunthorpe newsletter, but can’t access the link below? Click here.

The Conservative leader’s motion of a budget based on the 3.74 per cent rise in council tax was tabled and seconded, as was the alternative Labour budget amendment. But during the debate on these, a man was taken ill.

The meeting was abandoned 53 minutes in, and adjourned. Based on legal advice, another meeting will have to be held to take a recorded vote on the motion and Labour’s amendment. Only then will a council budget have been passed.

Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

Scroll to Top