Council tax in South Kesteven will rise 2.8% in 2025/26, impacting Stamford, Grantham, Bourne and The Deepings ratepayers.
The council approved the budget at a meeting on Thursday, February 27th. A Band D property will pay £189.37 yearly, which is £3.60 a week, an increase of £5.51. The council cabinet suggested this change earlier.
Council leader Ashley Baxter liked the budget but expects budget problems soon. The budget includes more money for drainage, with drainage rates rising by £79,000. The total drainage cost is now £1,026,000.
Baxter said SKDC is better off than other councils like Boston, which faces £2.93 million, and South Holland, which faces £3.57 million. These high costs are internal drainage board fees, which the council can’t control much.
Furthermore, Leisure SK is getting a £240,000 loan to fix the gym at Grantham Meres. Leisure SK manages leisure places on behalf of the council.
Councilor Paul Wood suggested a budget change, wanting £100,000 for flood costs. The funding will be sourced from a reserve fund.
Councilor Gareth Knight also proposed a change, seeking equal burial fees at Grantham Crematorium. He argued that current Muslim burial costs are too high and unfairly single out Muslims.
Knight noted that Jewish burials don’t currently incur special costs. After a chat, the leader accepted both ideas, and the council members then approved the budget.