Council tax plans set to push bill over £2,000 for an average New Forest band D home

LOCAL leaders have been unveiling proposed rises in the council tax, with the bill for an average band D home in the New Forest set to go over £2,000 for the first time.

The average band D demand in the district set last year for 2022/23 was a combined £1,987.99.

The biggest part of the bill in the Forest comes from Hampshire County Council whose ruling Tory cabinet is proposing a 4.99% rise, of which two percentage points will be dedicated for adult social care.

That would put its share of the charge to £1,460.25 for a band D home – an annual jump of £69.45.

HCC leader Cllr Rob Humby said: “We fully appreciate the impact that any planned increase in council tax would have on people’s household bills at this very difficult time.

“The recommended increase would generate nearly £37m of vital extra income and we will of course also be maximising every penny of funding available to us, including using our reserves where possible, to meet the overall shortfall we face this coming year, so that we can maintain the delivery of crucial, high-performing services to the people of Hampshire in 2023/24.”

The Tory-controlled council will vote on the plans on 23rd February.

New Forest District Council’s share of the demand for 2023/24 is being proposed at £193.99 by Cllr Jill Cleary’s Tory administration – a rise of £5.63 (2.99%).

A cabinet report to be discussed next week said: “The council remains in a robust financial position over the short term with the proposal to set a balanced budget for the financial year 2023/24.

“Whilst many other councils up and down the country would be delighted to be able to make such a claim we cannot ignore the economic pressures from outside our organisation, such as wage costs and inflation, which indicate that we will face challenges, to maintain that position, over the medium and longer term.”

The budget will go to a vote of the full council on 27th February.

Hampshire police has been approved to ask for a 6.3% rise in its share, adding another £15 to the bill for a band D home.

The county’s fire and rescue service will also set its rates before demands land on residents’ mats for the 2023/24 financial year.

For Christchurch, BCP Council’s Tory administration is currently planning a 4.99% rise, bringing its majority share of the bill to £1,683.23 – up by £80.

In addition to that are demands from local town and parish councils, plus Dorset fire service which is charging £84.43 – up by 6.3%.

Dorset Police has agreed a 4% rise in its share of the band D bill, bringing its part of the charge to £265.58.