Ipswich to see near maximum tax hike backed by councillors

The proposals, which formed part of Ipswich Borough Council’s budget plans for the upcoming financial year, were discussed by councillors last night.

They included a Council Tax increase of 2.99 per cent, just shy of the maximum allowed without a referendum.

For the largest proportion of Ipswich residents, who live in Band B properties, the increase is equivalent to £9.73 extra, up to £336.07.

Residents, who are not working, or earn less than £309 per month, will still be able to have their tax bills written off, with some 10,000 people to see some sort of reduction.

The increase was backed with 36 votes to eight.

Cllr Neil MacDonald, the authority’s leader, said it was only due to such decisions, as well as savings in previous years, that the council was able to outline millions in investment into the town over the next four years.

“In terms of being a financially stable council, hard decisions have been taken, and if further hard decisions are needed, they will be taken too,” he said.

“This means we are in a position to kick on and look to a positive future for the town.”

Cllr Martin Cook, the authority’s resources lead, said the economic outlook was ‘getting dramatically better’.

“We’ve been prudent, now we can afford to be ambitious for Ipswich,” he added.

The capital investment package, valued at some £70 million, included plans for a new aquatics centre, which made up more than half of the total, at £38 million, to be delivered by April 2030.

By that point, Ipswich Borough Council will no longer exist as councils are set to be replaced with one or more unitary authorities with more powers by May 2028.

Cllr Ian Fisher, the leader of the Conservative Group, said the proposals amounted to ‘extravagant’ promises which the council had neither control over nor the money to pay for.

“The opportunities for Ipswich are endless, the ingredients are all there, but this council just continually fails to provide the recipe and the seasoning needed to create the perfect meal,” he said.

“Investment in our town is vital for its future; bankrupting our town is not.”

Cllr Oliver Holmes, leader of the Lib Dem Group, added: “Now is not the time for grandiose capital spending which looks good on party leaflets.”