Cash-strapped NELC poised to raise council tax by almost three per cent as it struggles to balance books

                                                     

Grimsby Town Hall - councillors will meet here on February 22 to determine next year's council tax rise

COUNCIL  tax in North East Lincolnshire is set to  rise by 2.98 per cent in 2024-25.

This is the figure NELC's cabinet will recommend ahead of a budget-setting meeting of the full council later this month.

The authority is facing massive financial pressures which have only partly been offset by a 7.5 per cent increase in Government grants.

Questions have been asked about some of the big-ticket expenditure items such as redevelopment of  Freshney Place and Riverhead Square, but council leaders insist - albeit without much proof -  that these" are progressing well and will support the borough at a time of significant economic challenge. "

The council is also endeavouring to offload property and other assets as fast as it can.

It maintains its "ambitious" property rationalisation programme will deliver efficiency savings, reduce the carbon footprint and support new ways of working.

A slightly worrying note has been sounded on the "rainy day" reserves held by the authority.

These are said to have "fallen consistently" over the past few years, creating "a level of uncertainty which is likely to remain for some time". 

NELC is also likely to levy  "an additional 100 per cent premium on properties that have been empty for 12 months or more".