Council approves budget with a 2.99% tax rise. It funds services. Bus funding and car charging are planned.
Council tax will rise 2.99 percent, the limit before a vote is needed. The average home now pays £206.36 a year, which is £5.99 more than before. Only ten percent of tax revenue stays local, with most going to policing and the county.
A Conservative leader criticized the tax increase, feeling it shows contempt for residents. The budget funds bus services, and free swimming is planned for some groups. Money also supports electric car chargers, with over fifty new charging points planned.
The council helps those with low incomes; almost 4,000 people pay less council tax. They also had to cover extra national insurance costs, as government funding didn’t fully cover it. Despite less funding, local services stay strong.
One leader from the opposition shared their budget. It was rejected by the council members, although it had twenty three ideas. These ideas would make the area better by being cleaner, greener, and safer, enhancing the environment. They hoped to streamline the council, and their budget would cut the tax increase amount.
Their proposals included higher fly-tipping fines. They wanted to give theft items to residents whose cars are stolen, and using AI was also a focus. One councillor said the opposition’s plan would bankrupt the local area, stating their policies were not costed well. The Conservative leader stated their budget would save money later.
The finance officer called their budget “robust,” but noted several risks could arise. The Green group leader supports the tax rise, believing a lower increase could hurt the council. The Labour group leader backs the Lib Dem plan, thinking it is better than the other one.