An inflation-busting council tax rise is planned to cope with town hall budgets crippled by the pandemic.

Dover District Council' s cabinet today (Monday) voted through a rise of 2.57% in the localised charge for the average Band D property.

The UK inflation rate for January was 0.7%.

This hike will go through if it is supported at a full council meeting on Wednesday.

This is an increase of £4.95, which is 5p within the Government's capping limits.

It pushes up the average yearly amount the district council takes from householders from £192.24 in 2020/21 to £197.19 for 2021/22.

This is only 10% of the entire annual charge with the bulk of the rest going to Kent County Council.

An officers' report to the cabinet says next year's cost, with the increase, is expected to give the district authority a council tax income of £7.7 million

Their document added: "The various lockdowns and the system of tiers has had an impact on DDC's budget, primarily through the loss of income.

" In addition, the EU Transition has led to the requirement on DDC to create an expanded Dover Port Health function which, when fully staffed, is expected to have a minimum of 100 additional staff."

The total council tax bill for a Band D property for 2021/22 is £1,986, a rise of 4.84% on the £1,894.39 of 2020/21.

Out of that householders will pay KCC £1,418.76 (71% of the bill), The Kent Police and Crime Commissioner £218.15 (11%), Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority £80.82 (4%) and a town and parish council average of £71.08 (4%).

All these new costs are rises ranging from 1.93% to 7.38%.

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