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Council tax on hold but residents could end up paying more for services

COUNCIL tax may be staying low, but fees for council services could go up in one Lincolnshire district.

West Lindsey district council has issued a new report outlining its fees for 2011-12.

Standard increases have been applied to the Trinity Arts Centre in Gainsborough to meet inflation.

Licensing charges of Hackney Carriage taxis, private hire vehicles, sex shop and gambling licenses are also facing a 7.5 per cent increase, which would bring West Lindsey in line with other district councils.

The proposal also calls for a 19 per cent increase in the collection fee for the recovery of stray dogs.

Following a consultation with residents, it has also been proposed that a £30 charge be introduced for the provision and delivery of wheelie bins to new properties.

Russell Stone, financial services manager at the district council, said: "The council has a responsibility to revise its fees and charges to reflect the pressures of inflation and to recover the costs of delivering specific services.

"West Lindsey District Council is not proposing to scrap any services in the district.

"Despite having one of the lowest council tax charges, the council is not proposing to increase West Lindsey's share of the council tax in the next financial year."

Councillor Anne Welburn, Conservative councillor for the Cherry Willingham ward, told the Echo everyone was doing their bit to keep council taxes low.

She said: "The only charge I'm aware of at this time is the charge for the new wheelie bins, which was suggested by residents.

"West Lindsey District Council held meetings and forums to determine ways to keep costs down.

"The council went to the people of West Lindsey to ask them how they should balance the books.

"Our main aim is to keep living costs as low as possible.

"The whole case has been finding out what the public want us to do and the impression is that they would go further than is needed to keep the council rates low – as we all would.

"Councillors in West Lindsey haven't taken a raise in our allowances for two years because we've all been working together to streamline West Lindsey, and that includes streamlining ourselves."

The proposed fees will now need to go through a full council meeting before a final decision is made

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Has plastic and wages gone up 7.5%?

Maybe we should keep an eye on this and ask for clarification.

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IDFIMH

Would it not be illegal for them to use license money to keep the council tax down

Yes, as per Manchester vs. King!

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

when plastic an A4 paper DOES go up we all in the cack big time

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

I wouldnt mind but our council tax is so fcking high anyway!

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most