South Kesteven District council says it has financial 'protection' against the financial impact of the pandemic, but it has warned of the effects of less funding from central government.

A meeting of its cabinet yesterday examined plans for its 2021/22 budget, which includes a proposed £5 rise in Council Tax for Ban D Properties.

However, it will have to come back following consultation and will go before Full Council in March.

The budget will also be debated at a council budget scrutiny committee this afternoon.

Part of the SKDC budget includes a government grant of £362,000 "which will provide some financial level of protection against unforeseen COVID costs," said Cllr Adam Stokes.

Coun Stokes added: "The overall visuals [numbers] are not immune from variation, and fluctuation."

Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Kelham Cooke said: "I think none of us can doubt, there's a challenging 12 months ahead of us. Even with a COVID recovery."

As Nub News recently reported, Covid has been adding to uncertainty caused by cuts in government grants to the council.

A number of national reductions in funding means SKDC predicts its income will reduce from £18.5 million next year to £13.4 million by 2024-25 and, so money will have to come from elsewhere.