Residents will have to pay around £56 more a year in council tax, if plans are approved.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is proposing to add £5 to tax payers across the borough, taking payments from £126.42 to £131.42 annually.

It comes after Hampshire County Council announced a four per cent hike in council tax, which will see band D households paying £51 more a year on their contributions to HCC.

Residents are being asked to share their views on the planned rise from Wednesday, November 11, after the proposals are discussed at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. 

Basingstoke Gazette: Basingstoke and Deane Borough CouncilBasingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Cllr Hannah Golding (Conservative, Oakley and North Waltham), cabinet member for finance and service improvement, said: “Residents’ priorities are at the heart of everything we do and our proposals continue to focus on what matters most to our communities as well ensuring we are well placed to prepare for the borough’s future as we work alongside our partners to respond to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our proposed budget plans for the coming year will continue to make us a low council tax borough despite having one of the highest spending per head on services of all districts in the country.

Basingstoke Gazette: The 20/21 breakdown for a band D tax payerThe 20/21 breakdown for a band D tax payer

“Although we have a history of strong financial management, we are having to make difficult decisions with reductions in funding and rising costs and demand for our services to ensure we can continue to provide services in the future. With a £1.03 million budget gap in 2021/22, we are awaiting confirmation of government funding to help address this as part of its annual spending review.

“Alongside this we are continuing to look at the opportunities we have to address funding gaps in the future, including how we work to ensure we continue to be as efficient as possible and our services continue to meet the needs of our residents.”

Residents, businesses and groups will be asked to share their views following the cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

They can do so after next Wednesday by visiting www.basingstoke.gov.uk/budget2020.