Revised council tax rise of 4.5% approved

A council tax rise of 4.5% has been agreed in North East Lincolnshire.

It comes after the council's leader, Philip Jackson, put forward a recommendation to reduce a proposed rise of 4.99% - the maximum allowed without a referendum.

The revised figure was widely supported at a full council meeting on Thursday, with 34 votes in favour, and one against.

The council's 2026/27 budget was also agreed.

The increase is made up of 2.5% in core council tax and 2% for adult social care.

Speaking before the meeting, Jackson said: "We do understand the pressures on many households at the moment, and that is a reason for looking again at the level of the council tax increase."

Councillor Paul Henderson (Independent Group) was the only person to oppose the reduction.

He told the meeting the decision not to seek the maximum amount permitted was "short-sighted" and increased the likelihood of the council having to go to government "with our begging bowl out".

Jackson said: "The reason we've been able to propose a lower council tax is because we're financially resilient," adding as Conservatives, the administration wanted to see lower taxes.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a number of amendments to the council's 2026/27 budget were also passed, including setting aside money for a permanent library in Grimsby town centre, along with measures to reform the authority's council tax debt recovery service.

More information on the council's budget is available on its website.

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