County Council - Budget Issues
A meeting of the County Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard today that the Council is in a much easier financial position than it had thought 2 months ago.
In fact things look so good that a number of planned service cuts that were highlighted in the so-called “Have Your Say” public consultation before Christmas have been reversed, and almost £6M that was to be taken from reserves to keep the council tax down is no longer needed. On top of that, the council looks to be heading for a considerable underspend this financial year, the number of properties that make up the council tax “base” has increased so that each pound of the Band D tax rate raises more cash for the council, and higher interest rates have increased interest earned on balances more than expected.
In the 22+ years I have been on the council, I have never seen the finances so awash with cash.
The government has still to confirm its grant settlement to the council, but if things turn out like I suspect then I and the Lib Dem Group will be pressing for a very low council tax increase this year.
At this morning’s meeting, an increase of 2.9% was being talked about, but even with the added costs of the forthcoming election and the doubling of the number of councillors after 1 May, there must surely be scope to do bette than that.
have your say
