Reform forces cut to planned council tax hike

Council tax in Doncaster will rise by just 2% next year after the Labour mayor's suggested 4.99% hike was overridden by the other parties.

Mayor Ros Jones had proposed the maximum permitted rise but majority party, Reform UK, with support from the Conservatives, Advance UK and an Independent, tabled an amendment to pass the lower rate.

Reform group leader Craig Ward said: "It's the best thing to do for Doncaster residents. We're trying to save them money. I believe it was the right thing to do."

City of Doncaster Council's chief financial officer, Faye Tyas, has warned the cut would pose a risk to its long-term finances, making the council tax base £14.6m worse off by 2028/29.

She also warned a Section 114 notice may need to be issued if Reform's "challenging" saving goals were not met. A section 114 notice is issued when a council is effectively bankrupt and cannot commit to any new spending.

Jones told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "[Reform] haven't realised the enormity of what they could have created, or have created, with the possibility of a section 114."

She accused the party of being short-sighted and said it had acted "without knowing what it's going to do in further years".

"I honestly believe if we can't deliver the basic services people require, it's going to hit everyone," she added.

Councillors approved multiple other parts of her proposals, including her corporate plan, housing proposals and £248m in capital spending.

Ward did not respond to questions from Labour councillors about the council tax cut.

But, speaking after the meeting on Thursday, he said he did not "believe" Tyas' statement, in which she laid out the authority's long-term concerns, was "fair".

"We have delivered a lawful, balanced 2% budget that protects services, supports our town centre with free parking, and respects taxpayers' money," he said.

"This is a historic moment for Doncaster. Reform promised to fight for residents – and tonight we delivered."

Conservative councillors supported the amendment after striking a deal with Reform to include a trial period offering an hour of free parking in city centre car parks.

Nicola Brown, leader of Advance UK on the council, said: "We're all feeling the pinch of the cost of living and tonight councillors put residents first."

Since the local elections in 2025 Reform has held the majority of seats on the council, but, due to the authority operating under an elected mayor, Labour have retained control, despite only holding 12 of the 55 seats.

With 13 Labour members, inlcuding Jones, in attendance on Thursday, Reform's amendment to cut the proposed council tax hike was imposed with 39 votes in favour and 13 abstentions.

Most other aspects of Jones' proposals, which Reform did not propose amendments to, were passed with 13 votes in favour and 39 abstentions.

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