An increase in council tax by 4.99% has been given the go-ahead by Sheffield City Council, “which will push people into hardship” according to Woodhouse and District Community Hub’s Co-Ordinator.
This could lead to Sheffield residents paying anywhere between £71.90-£215.70 on top of their annual council tax bill depending on what council band they are in.
This will put extra pressure on some South-East Sheffield residences such as Arbourthorne which has the 4th lowest income in Sheffield.
Liz Turton, Woodhouse and District Community Hub’s Co-Ordinator said: “a rise in any kind of cost especially at this time when mortgage rates are increasing, bills and heating are increasing, to have another cost on top will push people into hardship.”
When speaking about the extra pressure this puts on residents, Lydia Kent, the Cost of Living and Gambling Awareness Co-Ordinator from Sheffield Mind said: “I think the main feelings would be feelings of stress which can lead to anxiety and isolation”
She also said: “It’s good they can speak to us but it’s hard to get information, it’s a vicious cycle of people not knowing where to get support”
The Council have made this decision to try and balance their budget, with this increase to bring in an additional £16 million.
Despite the impact this will have on residents, Phillip Gregory, Director of Finance and Commercial Services said: “we expect people to be able to live on their budget.”
Despite the claims made by Mr Gregory, Mrs Turton said: “I’d like to think that they have to do it because they have to balance their books, but they have to understand the rising costs on the community”
The decision was announced at the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee.
