A widespread increase in council tax is due to hit most residents in Cambridgeshire this year.
While for some, they may see a freeze in council tax for the next financial year as authorities continue to deal with high inflation rates and lasting effects of the Covid pandemic.
We take a look at what our councils, police and fire services are planning.
Cambridgeshire County Council
Councillors agreed to increase its share of council tax to 4.99 per cent from April, same as for 2022-23.
The move will mean Band D households will pay an extra £73 a year, which amounts to £1.41 a week, while a Band C household will see a £65 increase for the year.
Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, county council leader, told a full council meeting on February 7 that the budget was put together against a “difficult financial backdrop”.
Cllr Steve Count, Conservatives leader on the council, believes a tax increase should be made “only as a last resort”.
East Cambridgeshire District Council
A council tax freeze for the 10th year in a row is being proposed.
Under the plans, Band D households would pay £142.14 which is the same amount as in 2013.
Cllr Anna Bailey, district council leader, said the authority “remains committed” to only raising council tax “if needed”.
The plans are due to be discussed at a full council meeting on February 21.
Huntingdonshire District Council
A 3.31pc rise in council tax, down on 3.43pc for the last financial year, is proposed for 2023-24.
Band D households are planned to pay £155.86, a plan to be discussed at full council on February 22.
Cllr Sarah Conboy, the council's executive leader, said residents will be charged for garden waste collections in future to help create "a sustainable plan that seeks opportunities to transform our services".
Fenland District Council
A public consultation was sent to residents asking for their views on the council’s draft budget last month, which included plans to freeze council tax for a fifth successive year.
In a report due to be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on February 20, councillors are forecasting a council tax reduction of two per cent and a potential rise in tax for 2023-24.
Peterborough City Council
A 4.99pc increase in council tax, including a two per cent adult social care precept, has been proposed.
The proposals, which would add £75.43 per year for a Band D property, will be considered at full council on February 22.
South Cambridgeshire District Council
A £5 per year increase in council tax for a Band D home, which is 10p more per week, is planned.
The council say the rise is proposed “to ensure essential frontline services continue to be delivered effectively.”
Cambridgeshire Police
Households will pay an extra £15 per year for the policing precept on council tax bills.
This is on top of a new £1-a-month mayoral precept introduced by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, aimed at helping fund public transport in the county.
The amount, the highest increase allowed by the government, is extra to an additional £75 per year added to the main part of the bill.
Edward Leigh, chair of the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Panel, said it would be "irresponsible" to add to its financial pressures.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority agreed to increase its share of council tax by just under £5 for a Band D property for the next financial year.
Chief fire officer Chris Strickland said that the service was serving a “significantly growing” population in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and a “contingency fund” had been planned.
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