The East Riding Council has approved a 4.99% increase in council tax for the upcoming financial year, with the aim of addressing financial challenges and ensuring the sustainability of the council. The newly approved budget includes funding for various projects, such as pilot schemes for 20mph speed limits and free books for children. In addition to the council tax increase, council housing rents are set to rise by 7.7%, and car parking charges will see a 50p-an-hour increase.
The approved budget outlines an approximate expenditure of £403 million for the 2024-5 financial year, with a significant portion of this amount being covered by withdrawing £11.6 million from the council’s reserves, which includes £10 million for the Jock’s Lodge road improvement scheme. Despite planned savings and administrative workforce restructuring, the council anticipates a projected deficit of £6.2 million by 2027-8.
The budget also includes specific allocations for various initiatives, such as providing funding for trial schemes to introduce 20mph speed limits, the “Imagination Library” for children, the Do It For East Yorkshire fund, a flood warden scheme, and the Positive Activity Grant for young people. The program offering free swimming for young people has also been extended to cover the Easter holidays. The budget was unanimously approved by all councillors, with the exception of two who abstained from voting.
Councillor Nigel Wilkinson, the Conservative Finance Portfolio holder, emphasized the necessity of the tax increase to maintain the viability of the council. He highlighted that the budget is an investment in the well-being of the residents, focusing on people, places, skills, and jobs. However, he also acknowledged the challenges posed by rising costs, increased demand for social care services, inflation, and global events that continue to strain the council’s finances.
In contrast, Councillor Healy, the opposition leader, expressed concerns about the council’s financial position. He highlighted the depletion of reserves and criticized the budget for relying on temporary solutions. Healy also argued that the central government’s resource allocation to local authorities has been inadequate and has severely impacted services.
For the 2024-5 financial year, the council tax bill increases, excluding precepts levied by other entities such as parish council precept, fire and police authority, are as follows:
– Band A:
– Total charge – £1,188.11
– Yearly increase – £56.47
– Monthly increase – £4.71
– Weekly increase – £1.08
– Band B:
– Total charge – £1,386.13
– Yearly increase – £65.88
– Monthly increase – £5.49
– Weekly increase – £1.26
– Band C:
– Total charge – £1,584.15
– Yearly increase – £75.29
– Monthly increase – £6.27
– Weekly increase – £1.44
– Band D:
– Total charge – £1,782.17
– Yearly increase – £84.70
– Monthly increase – £7.06
– Weekly increase – £1.62
– Band E:
– Total charge – £2,178.21
– Yearly increase – £103.52
– Monthly increase – £8.63
– Weekly increase – £1.99
– Band F:
– Total charge – £2,574.25
– Yearly increase – £122.34
– Monthly increase – £10.20
– Weekly increase – £2.35
– Band G:
– Total charge – £2,970.28
– Yearly increase – £141.17
– Monthly increase – £11.76
– Weekly increase – £2.71
– Band H:
– Total charge – £3,564.34
– Yearly increase – £56.47
– Monthly increase – £14.12
– Weekly increase – £3.25
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