For the first time in its history, Lincolnshire County Council has frozen its share of the council tax for the third consecutive year,
The decision came as the authority set its budget for 2013/14 at today's meeting of the full council. In doing so, councillors again pledged to protect essential services, find sensible efficiencies and invest wisely for the future.
Councillor Kelly Smith, Executive Member for Finance and HR, said: "This is a difficult time for everyone financially, and we feel it's important to do all we can to make life easier for our residents. That's why we decided to take the unprecedented step of freezing our share of the council tax for the third year running.
"Over the last two years the council has found savings of about £80 million, while also protecting priority services, like child protection, the fire service, and road maintenance. We also have plans in place that will bring a further £45 million of savings over the next two years.
"At the same time, we continue to invest in major infrastructure projects, such as the Lincoln Eastern Bypass, the Grantham relief road and superfast broadband, which will pave the way for renewed prosperity in Lincolnshire.
"However, the Government has made it clear that more needs to be done if we're going to get the country back on track. With that in mind, we'll be drawing sensibly on our reserves over the next couple of years while we plan the best way to make further efficiencies.
"Having said that, it's important that everyone pulls their weight, and that Lincolnshire isn't asked to do more than its fair share. Rural authorities like Lincolnshire still do not receive the same level of overall funding as urban areas. So the council will continue to call for a fairer deal for local residents."
The freeze in council tax was made possible thanks to an additional Government grant.
