Council tax in Hull to rise by 4.99% again

Hull City Council is to put up council tax by the maximum of 4.99% again this year.

Setting out his budget plan, council leader Mike Ross said the money would go towards funding pothole repairs, street cleaning and making communities safer.

It will be the third consecutive year that the council has increased the tax in the city by the maximum amount allowed without a public vote.

Local Government Association chair Louise Gittins previously said council finances remained "extremely challenging".

The budget proposal notes that 2% of the increase will be set aside for adult social care.

Ross said: "After years of Hull feeling like a city that has been forgotten by those in Westminster, we want to do everything we can to make sure our home has a brighter future, and our communities get a fair deal."

Under the proposals, more than £56m has been earmarked for fixing Hull's infrastructure, with £31m going towards bridges and almost £23m for repairing potholes.

Nearly £3m will help the council's plan for a "cleaner and safer Hull", with £1.5m reserved for bin collections.

The rise will also fund the Costello Playing Field development, new play equipment across the city and an expansion of the number of small green spaces.

The proposals will be discussed by the scrutiny committee on 14 February before a final decision is made by the full council at the end of the month.

"We have massive plans for our community high streets, the city centre and our cultural legacy and we're moving these plans forward now, so we can change our city for the better and deliver the fair deal people deserve," Ross said.

"With these major new investments, we have a plan to make Hull an even better place to live, work and visit."

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