Years of low council tax as report shows tight grip on finances in North Lincolnshire

Council tax increases in North Lincolnshire have averaged just 2.6 per cent a year since 2011/12, with council tax frozen altogether for five consecutive years.

The long-term record was highlighted at Full Council as councillors agreed the authority’s latest Treasury Management Annual Report, setting out how borrowing, investments and public money were managed during 2025/26.

The report shows the council remained well within its agreed borrowing limits – almost £100m below its authorised limit.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Taxpayers’ money is sacrosanct and our record over many years shows the importance we place on keeping costs down while continuing to invest in North Lincolnshire.

“Since 2011 council tax increases have averaged just 2.6 per cent a year – for five consecutive years we froze it.

“That has been achieved through consistent financial discipline – challenging costs, managing borrowing carefully, making sensible investment decisions and ensuring taxpayers’ money is focused on the things that matter most to residents.

“We said we would continue investing in roads, schools, leisure facilities, town centres and communities across North Lincolnshire and we have kept that promise.”

During 2025/26, the council invested £38m in capital projects, with £33m of that expenditure funded during the year.

The council also repaid £40m of borrowing during the year, while investment income reached £1.2m – around twice the amount originally budgeted.

The report also confirms there were no cashflow problems during the year, investments were managed in line with the agreed strategy and borrowing remained within all agreed limits.

Cllr Tim Mitchell, cabinet member for finance and efficiency, said: “The figures show the value of careful, disciplined financial management.

“We know household budgets remain under pressure, so keeping council tax as low as possible and getting maximum value from every pound remains absolutely central to the decisions we make.”

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