At a Rutland County Council budget meeting last night, the next financial year’s council tax rise was approved at the maximum rate of 4.99%. Three councillors who voted against the rise say more should have been done to prevent this.
Rutland’s county council should have done more to stop a council tax rise in the coming year, say three councillors who voted against the rise last night. At its budget setting meeting, the majority of councillors approved the tax increase of 4.99% (the maximum allowed by government before a further public consultation is required). Three councillors, however, voted against the budget as well as the increase.
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Alan Walters said that at a time when households are struggling with bills and fearful of increases to come, it should have been a top priority of this council to put a halt to council tax rises. Instead of minimising costs and maximising revenues the portfolio holder announced that the budget had been set at the highest tax rise allowed, which Cllr Walters believes is completely the wrong way around. He went on to say that the budget included extra consultants being hired and new posts being created on the council; he called them truly astonishing decisions in the current climate, and he couldn’t support or defend them.
The county of Rutland currently has the third highest Band D council tax rate in the whole of the UK. While the average Band D council tax for England is £1898, Rutland’s is £2195. The borough of Westminster’s is £829. A full comparison of UK council taxes can be found at Council Tax Index 2021/22 - PropertyData
The new Rutland Hub next to Oakham Baptist Church is only part of their expansion. It was officially opened yesterday by MP Alicia Kearns and sees offices from the church move in as well as spaces for the community to use and a cafe.
Northamptonshire police are appealing for witnesses after a series of burglaries, which they believe are all linked around the A43 between Kettering and Stamford.
Around 650 athletes began a swim at first light and are taking part in three laps of Rutland Water's roads this morning by bike before they run a half marathon in the annual Vitruvian Triathlon.
Road closures are in place in Stamford this morning on Broad Street, Star Lane and Red Lion Street for the annual Battle of Britain Parade and Service and will continue until lunchtime.
As part of the Rutland Day celebrations yesterday, there was an event at Oakham Castle which saw reenactors from the Ferrars' household along with local stalls, a Maker's market, a history tour and the Special Multum Gin Parvo Rutland Cocktail and Rutland Pippin were also on offer.
After a 37 year wait there was an all-female podium at Defender Burghley Horse Trails in Stamford which annually welcomes over 170,00 visitors across the four day event.
Weekend sports round up
