REFORM UK TOOK CONTROL WITH A PROMISE TO CUT TAX

REFORM-RUN Derbyshire County Council is set to roll out multiple years of maximum council tax hikes.

- By EDDIE BISKNELL

Budget papers published by the authority propose a maximum 4.99 per cent increase for the coming financial year. These papers also pledge that the current assumption is for further maximum council tax rises up until 2030.

Reform UK, which took control of the county council in May, had consistently pledged to cut tax levels, but has since abandoned this plan due to the significant loss in funding and financial insecurity it would cause.

Its total spending for the next year stands at £838 million with a highlighted budget shortfall of more than £37 million, planning £22.4 million in savings in the 2026/27 financial year.

The budget report states: "The council is legally required to set a balanced budget in advance of the beginning of each financial year.

"In the context of significant cost and demand pressures, together with reducing levels of reserves, the council must identify and deliver a significant programme of savings and efficiencies during 2026-27 and beyond."