Bills are set to rise as plans to hike council tax across Doncaster are approved

Council tax with precepts for adult social care, fire and police will increase by 3.41 per cent – 2.9 per cent funds Doncaster Council services.

Those who live in a parish council area will also see a further increase in their bills anywhere from £30 to £90 a year on average for a band A property depending on the area.

Councillors voted 36 to approve the rise while 13 – making up opposition to the Labour-run council – voted against.

No alternative budget or council tax plan was put forward by the opposition groups.

Mayor Ros Jones said the increases would help ‘support residents and the local economy while maintaining a strong focus on supporting vulnerable people and improving the environment’.

The mayor also added the 2.9 per cent Doncaster Council tax rise was below the maximum allowed of 4.99 per cent and the authority still had one of the cheapest council tax rates in the country and the lowest in South Yorkshire.

Mayor Jones has said previously she was against the biggest tax rises as over 70 per cent of homes fall into the three lowest council tax band categories.

The new council tax levels will see band D homes pay £1,446 per year – up by £40.75 from last year.

For band A homes, bills will now come in at £964.07 a year – up by £27.17 from last year.

Speaking at cabinet last week, Mayor Jones said: “Mayor Jones said: “Since 2010, council spending has been reduced by £107 million that’s 29 per cent and It represents a £350 cut per Doncaster resident. That’s an awful lot of money.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on council services and these ultimately impact on the budget to increase costs and reduced income streams.

“The additional funding provided by Government has helped ease the financial pressures. However, the future financial position remains extremely uncertain.”

Residents will see the increase in bills from April.

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