Council tax bills could go up for residents because of cash-strapped city's debts

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE councillors say council tax will definitely increase if plans to change council boundaries are not considered properly.

- By LAUREN MONAGHAN Local democracy reporter

Conservative Nottinghamshire County councillor and Gedling Borough councillor, Sam Smith told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "With local government reorganisation, because the debt in Nottingham City Council is so big... if you move parts of the county into the city [boundary] as whole districts, those bits going in will pay more council tax."

Residents in a Band D property in Nottingham City currently pay £2,656.19 in council tax, with those living in a Band D home in a non-parish area of Gedling pay £2,482.35 - a seven per cent difference.

County councillor Bruce Laughton (Con) told the LDRS: "Most people that pay council tax pay on a direct debit. If I was to send them a bill every month through the post they would actually realise what a major impact it is on their finances, and that's what lulls them into a false sense of security. If you're a band H you're paying [around] £5,000 a year in council tax - that is a significant impact."