East Devon council tax payers to pay more

Households will pay three per cent more

East Devon’s council tax is going up by the maximum allowed from April.

The district council’s decision a rise of three per cent, equating to £5 a year, for average Band D properties. Those households will pay £171.78 for the district’s services in 2025/6.

With maximum rises also recently agreed by Devon County Council, Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the total council tax bill for East Devon residents in Band D properties will rise by 4.8 per cent, from £2,348.20 to £2,461.40.

At the district’s full council meeting this week, the increase was agreed without debate, although it had been discussed in draft form by the council’s cabinet earlier this month, as well as at other committee meetings  in recent months.

The council’s finance staff have had to  react hastily to various government announcements around funding, notably about rising costs as employers’ national insurance contributions increase in April.

Last month, the district council said it would have to take £370,000 from its reserves to cover the extra cost.

East Devon also lost its share of a rural services delivery grant, which has been abolished. Roughly £4 million of this grant went between Devon’s eight district councils and the fire service.

The full council meeting required a recorded vote for the council tax rise, meaning each councillor had to state individually whether they supported it or not.

Forty-eight councillors in favour with just one member, Cllr Roy Collins (Liberal Party, Honiton St Michael’s) abstaining.