Council tax to rise – but more cuts still needed
WEST Lancashire Borough Council is increasing council tax by 2.99% – but still faces a multi-million pound budget gap.
As a result of central government cuts, the council’s annual budget has dropped by more than 30% in the past eight years, meaning that it has needed to cut costs and increase income to compensate for a more than £10m drop.
This includes approximately £1m in savings and income identified for the forthcoming financial year, while further cuts and additional income of £1.5-2m will be needed by 2020/21 to meet the budget gap created primarily by reductions in central funding.
Combined with the increases from Lancashire County Council and the fire and police services, West Lancs residents face an overall increase in their council tax bills of 5.65%, or around £93 per year for Band D payers.
Next year’s budget has been set in this financial context and will maintain frontline services with targeted investment in a number of key areas.
These decisions were made at the council meeting on February 28, when councillors agreed the budget for 2018/19.
In preparing this budget, the council has sought to maximise efficiency and income, avoid service reductions and find funding for important projects.
A key project for 2018/19 is to invest £440,000 in refuse and recycling services to make things easier for residents to store cardboard and paper for recycling.
From June, they will be able to place cardboard and paper in the green bins currently used for garden waste, instead of the blue bags. A new brown bin, or more if they had more last year for garden waste, will be supplied to residents signing up for the garden waste collection scheme.
The changes are designed to make it easier for residents to recycle and help keep streets tidier. The bin collection will also make rounds more efficient.
The council has also agreed £183k funding for Phase Two of the Moor Street scheme of environmental improvements between Moorgate and Railway Road, which it says demonstrates itsgoing commitment to the Ormskirk Town Centre Strategy.
Other initiatives include investing £135k in ICT facilities to increase efficiency, and spending £130k on LED lights in its main office sites as part of the council’s commitment to tackling climate change.
The portfolio holder for finance, Cllr Adam Yates, said: “For the best part of a decade, this council has had its funding reduced year on year by central government.
“This is set to continue over the next three years and so we face further significant financial challenges ahead.
“However, we are determined to maintain frontline services and to promote growth by investing in our towns and villages across the borough.
“Through initiatives such as our new development company, we will be looking to generate additional income and make a positive social impact by providing more affordable housing across West Lancs.
“We are also undertaking a full strategic review of all council services to improve accessibility for residents and to deliver further efficiencies where possible.
“We are also asking residents in the top two council tax bands to make a voluntary contribution of £100 to support a fund for important community projects such as the Junk Food Café, in Skelmersdale.”