Nottingham residents 'stretched' as council explores emergency tax hike

The council is seeking permission to raise council tax by more than 4.99% without a public vote

Nottingham City Council has confirmed it is considering to increase council tax beyond the usual 5% to tackle its shortfalls.

In November the authority declared itself effectively bankrupt, over a £23m spending gap this financial year.

Since then it has sought special permission for various methods to raise £65m including the rise, which would normally require a referendum.

Residents across the city have shared their thoughts over the measure.

Councils are blaming surging demand, particularly in social care, for their financial problems

Jill, 72, who lives in Nottingham, said she felt "extremely strongly" about the possibilty, as her limited income was already stretched.

"I can't afford to pay anymore basically as a pensioner, and I don't get anything for it," she said.

"I don't think that normal people who have very low incomes should have to pay anymore.

"It will affect me through my income, we're already being stretched with high prices for everything; high inflation, rents going up, everything's going up.

"There comes a point when you have to say 'hang on a minute, I cannot pay'."

Alwyn Nicholas said he understood the need for a rise but called for a safety net for those struggling

But Alwyn Nicholas, from Clifton, who works as a security guard, felt the issue was a national one.

The 68-year-old said: "Because of seeing the situation for all councils on the news, about the problems with funding.

"I do think an increase beyond the 5% is acceptable as long as there's a catch for people at the bottom of the system that need support that can't manage that.

"In my circumstances I am able to pay more, but I have concerns about some people that are struggling."

He said there were public services which needed funding, including libraries.

"I certainly think libraries are a very good thing for the community in general, particularly children, and obviously the schools need a fair bit of support as well," he added.

"When I was in school, I did music and that's one thing that's been reported quite a lot over the recent years, the funding for that is just not available anymore.

"So, there is a lot of services that have to be provided because there just isn't enough funding from the government to the council for these extras particularly. So, that very noticeable from the news from the past 10-20 years."

'Wasted money'

Gary Smith, 59, a management consultant from Clifton, felt past mistakes by the council, like the collapsed Robin Hood Energy company, were to blame.

"I feel no, shouldn't do it," he said.

"It won't affect me because I can afford to pay whatever council tax they charge me but as a principle, no.

"They've wasted money left right and centre. And if they waste money, why should we give them more."

Carer Neili Chen, 39, who lives in the city centre, said: "I think every year, the council taxes go up. It's the way they have to do it.

"There's nothing we can do. It won't affect me much; we need to pay the bill. It won't be much of a change, but everything added up will be a big change.

"I think we just have to accept that otherwise where will the money come from?

"We do the job, we pay the tax, the vulnerable people need the help. Where else will the government find the money?"

The council has blamed government funding cuts for the crisis

The council is currently proposing a 4.99% rise in its share of city residents' council tax bills from April.

Any increase beyond that level usually requires a referendum, however the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) previously said the city council had asked the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) if it could proceed without a public vote.

This was the case for Birmingham City Council and Croydon Council, which also issued a section 114 notice, and received permission to increase their precepts by 10% and 15% respectively in recent years.

Ross Brown, the council's corporate director for finance and resources, said: "As part of the Emergency Financial Support submission, the council has explored what powers could be granted, including raising council tax above 4.99, which we have expressed interest in."