A recommendation that Erewash Borough Council raises its share of council tax for 2018/19 by 2.99% is expected to be sent to the council’s budget setting meeting on Thursday 1 March.

Councillors at a meeting of Council Executive on Tuesday (20 February) look set to support the increase and, if agreed, will mean that the council’s charge for a Band D property in Erewash will increase by 2.99% to £181.17 – a rise of £5.26 per annum, which works out at just 10p a week.

Only 11% of the total council tax bill goes towards paying for Erewash Borough Council services. Council tax payers also have to pay an amount for Derbyshire County Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and Parish Councils – Erewash Borough Council has no control over the charges set by these organisations.

Previously, the council had frozen council tax over a period of six years from 2010/11 to 2015/16 and the recommended increase comes as the borough council continues to work hard to find further efficiencies to assist the national effort in balancing the nation’s budget.

Councillor Wayne Major, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Resources, says:

“The council has been working hard to reduce costs and has already identified £0.75m in cost savings over the last two years and needs to find further substantial savings going forward. We will do everything in our power to maintain and protect frontline services, where possible and strive to get the most for every penny of your money we spend.

“We know that we face a significant challenge in reshaping our services for the future; however we will work more smartly and adopt a value for money approach with our residents at the centre of everything we do – together we can make a difference.”

The Full Council meeting will be held at Ilkeston Town Hall on Thursday 1 March at 7pm.