RESIDENTS could see a tax increase by £5 a year as Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Conservative front-benchers backed the latest budget proposal.

At the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, February 8, members approved the draft proposal put before them, which would see the bill for residents living in a Band D property rise by £5 from this year until 2026.

This would mean that their bill would rise to £136.42 for 2022-23.

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Despite this increase, cabinet members said that the borough still remains one of lowest tax bracket district councils in Hampshire.

Cllr John Izett, cabinet member for finance and major projects, said: “These proposals include increasing our share of council tax by £5 per annum for 2022/23 equivalent to some 10 pence per week per average Band D property.

“We remain one of the county’s lowest council tax districts.

“By taking early measures to safeguard our finances at the outset of the pandemic we are today in a remarkably good position and able to invest where are residents want to in front line services.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council only take 10 per cent of the council tax residents pay, so if Hampshire County Council decide to increase taxes, residents could be hit with a further hike.

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In the budget proposal prepared in November, the council had plans to withdraw its funding for festivals like the Basingstoke Kite Festival and the Transport Festival and reduce the grants to community and voluntary organisations by £130,000. However, the council has decided to postpone plans for this financial year to help the organisers adjust.

Recommendations were unanimously approved by all councillors.

The budget will be discussed at the next full council meeting on February 28.

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