Rotherham Borough Council to discuss 2017/18 budget

Rotherham Borough Council is set to increase the levy by 4.99 per cent — just below the five per cent threshold for a local referendum.

The increase includes three per cent which is ring-fenced for adult social care and follows a 3.95 per cent total hike last year.

The move will generate a total of £95 million in council tax for RMBC for 2017/18  equivalent to 46 per cent of the revenue budget.

And it will mean band D properties paying £1,394 for the council’s services next year.

The council’s reserves stood at £99.7 million at the start of the current financial year last April. 

Before Christmas, bosses proposed taking £5.2 million to help with budget pressures over the next two years.

Now, they are suggesting taking a further £5.3 million — mostly to help with children’s services.

Councillors will discuss the budget at full council meeting at Rotherham Town Hall at 2pm.

They will also be asked to back a campaign against the proposals to close Rotherham’s main town centre post office.