Boston Borough Council has set a balanced budget for 2026/27 as the Council looks ahead to delivering key services and events for the benefit of residents and businesses.
Despite a significant year of financial challenges – including national economic uncertainty, inflationary pressures and increasing demand for council services – the Council has taken a considered approach to manage these impacts.
The approved budget provides a sustainable financial position for the year ahead which continues to focus on delivering key services. A number of key priorities include delivering Pride in Place for Boston, investing in leisure, supporting our most vulnerable residents with Disabled Facilities Grants, and the introduction of food waste collections in the Borough.
At Full Council on Monday 2 March, councillors approved a Council Tax increase of £7.83 for a Band D property, equivalent to just 15p per week for services including waste collection, planning, housing, environmental health and more.
Most properties in Boston Borough (88%) fall into Bands A-C and will see a smaller rise.
For residents who pay Boston Special Expenses in addition to Council Tax, this has been set at £81.09 for a Band D property, an increase of £1.66p for 2026/27.
Other precepting authorities – Lincolnshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire, and parish councils – will also set their own rates which form part of the final annual bill.
A significant and ongoing pressure on the Council’s finances remains the Internal Drainage Board (IDB) Special Levy with 65% of Boston’s retained Council Tax now goes to the IDBs. The Council must fund this levy from Council Tax income, reducing the amount available for local services. For 2026/27, the levy for Boston has risen to £3.07m, an increase of £145,000 on last year. Since 2021/22, the levy has grown by £1.05m, a 52% increase.
Boston Borough Council continues to lobby Government collaboratively with 39 other affected authorities for reform to the funding system. An additional £5m has been announced by Government for the most impacted councils, although allocations have not yet been confirmed.
Cllr Dale Broughton, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “The Council has set a budget that is balanced while giving us an opportunity to deliver services and events for the benefit of the Borough. The Council is in a sound financial position as recognised in a recent Local Government Association Peer Challenge, and, for the first time in a number of years, the council has met its efficiency target early.
“A number of key projects will build and enhance the community that is Boston. These include our programme of events, the former ‘Crown House’ redevelopment due to complete as well as delivering Pride in Place funding and working with partners to prepare for Boston 2030 celebrations.
“We continue to work collaboratively with our partner councils in East Lindsey and South Holland to identify efficiencies and partnership-wide saving opportunities.
“The Special Levy that supports the vital work of the Borough’s four Internal Drainage Boards remains a significant financial challenge in setting the Council budget. The council, working alongside 39 other councils in England, continues to lobby Government for a fairer funding model so the money we receive from council tax can fully go into investing in the services we provide.
“The council is committed to continuing developing ways to generate new income, reduce running costs and deliver services more efficiently.”
