High Peak Borough Council has agreed to provide more support with council tax to households on the lowest incomes. 

The decision comes as the council set its budget for providing essential services at £12.5 million and agreed a council tax increase of 2.90 per cent, or £5.96 for Band D properties, setting payments at £211.36 for 2023/24. 

As more than 70 per cent of High Peak residents live in properties in Bands A, B or C, the average increase from April will be less than £5.96. 

The council has also announced changes to its council tax reduction scheme, which it says will support those on the lowest incomes, make it easier for working age applicants to apply and maintain current levels of support for other households. 

Pension age applicants are not affected by these changes as the support they receive is prescribed by the Government. 

Executive Councillor for Finance and Corporate Services, Alan Barrow, said: “The rising costs of living continue to affect us all and, when setting our budget for the coming year, we were very mindful of the impact of any further increases on our residents. 

“Communities and businesses in the High Peak have a right to high quality public services that they can rely on – but these services do need to be paid for. At the same time, we’re also acutely aware of not adding unduly to the budget pressures people are experiencing. 

“That’s why we have kept the council tax increase to a minimum and extended the support available to people on the lowest incomes. 

“We will, of course, continue to constantly seek ways of delivering our essential services at value for money costs and ensure we are using all of our resources to best effect.” 

HPBC also collects council tax on behalf of Derbyshire County Council, Police and Fire Authorities, as well as town and parish councils.  

The borough council uses its portion of council tax, around 10 per cent of the total, to provide affordable housing, waste and recycling, street cleaning, leisure centres, parks and playgrounds, support for local businesses, crime prevention activities, benefits services and elections. 

More information about council tax is available at www.highpeak.gov.uk/counciltax 

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