Councillors are set to vote on Rutland's council tax rates for the coming year on Thursday night.

Rutland County Council's draft budget for 2026/27 proposes a 2 per cent hike in rates – with the increase going towards adult social care.

This means the Band D rate – for an average home – will increase by £44.38 to £2,263.33 in 2026/27 from £2,218.95 last year.

Bosses backtracked on plans for an overall 3.9 per cent increase – after the government announced it would be covering 90 per cent of local authorities' schools deficits.

The unexpected windfall means the council can afford to keep the council tax rise relatively low – compared to neighbouring authorities.

Budget documents reveal a £26.9million cost for social care, while education and supporting young people with special educational needs or disabilities takes up a further £21.2m.

Other costs highlighted in the report include £6m for recycling, waste services and street cleaning and £5.2m for highways and transport.

A further £6m will be put aside as part of plans to revamp Rutland County Museum so it will ultimately be able to house the huge prehistoric ichthyosaur fossil discovered at Rutland Water in 2021.

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The council faces a £4m housing benefit bill and must also spend £1.7m on public health. Another £700,000 will be spent maintaining parks and open spaces while £1.1m will go towards the culture and heritage services, including the running of Oakham Castle and Rutland County Museum.

Meanwhile £2.6m is needed to adapt primary school classrooms and expand specialist facilities for children with social, emotional and mental health needs.

And £1m is required to support improvements to the junction for Cold Overton Road, Barleythorpe Road, Melton Road and Station Road in Oakham.