Council facing criticism at budget meeting. Tax rises plus service cuts are on the cards. Reserves to be used.
The council blames a lost grant from the government and increased employer insurance payments. These issues make existing money problems even worse, as they face growing demand for local services.
Some councillors will suggest changes to school transport, as the council wants to cut its transport budget. They plan to bus kids to the closest school.
Some worry this new plan needs more bus routes. Rural areas now have several nearby schools, while previously, kids went to one set school. The new system might not save money.
One councillor thinks the savings sound unrealistic, while another councillor might question the cost cuts too. This councillor suggests a possible legal review concerning cuts and the rural services grant loss.
The council plans to cut a local fund, which Each councillor uses for local projects. The council wants to halve it in 2025/26.
Now each councillor gets £10,000 yearly, but soon, they’ll only get £5,000. One councillor says this hurts local support efforts, mentioning food banks and school projects as examples.
The 2025/26 budget includes a new tax for second homes, which may raise £11 million. It also includes big investments: seven million goes to a convention center, and sixty million supports dementia care hubs.