Council tax set to rise by 4.81%
COUNCIL tax in West Lancashire will rise by 4.81% around £86 for a Band D property - next year, after the borough council finalised its budget.
The final bill was confirmed last week when West Lancs Borough Council confirmed its budget, with the local authority increasing its share by 2.99%, the maximum allowed without calling a referendum. But, despite the increase, the council must faces a shortfall of £1.9m by 2021/22 as it continues to suffer the effects of huge cuts from central government.
The fire service’s share of the council tax will also increase by 2.99% (£2.02), Lancashire County Council’s by 3.99% (£51), and the police service’s by 13.52% (£24).
Despite facing huge pressures as a result of the budget cuts, borough council leaders say they have battle to protect all existing services and aim instead to offset cuts by increasing revenue through avenues such as its new development company and through commercial ventures, As a direct result of reductions in government grant funding, the annual budget requirement has been reduced by well over 30% in the last nine years.
Investments budgeted in the 2019/20 year include additional funding for the Tawd Valley Park project; hiring equipment for litter-picking on high-speed routes, buying street-cleaning equipment; and funding to commission a study into food insecurity in the borough.
Internal and external structural repair work will also be carried out at Park Pool and Nye Bevan Sports Centre, while £30k has been earmarked for a consultation on plans to replace both centres with entirely new facilities.
Portfolio holder for resources and transformation, Cllr Adam Yates, said: “For the best part of a decade, this council has had its funding reduced year-on-year by central government. We continue to face further significant financial challenges ahead, particularly with the move to make all local authorities self-funding by 2020/21 and the lack of information currently being provided by government to allow us to plan for the medium-term. However, we are determined to maintain frontline services, while still investing in our council and our borough to make real improvements for local people.”
Further uncertainty surrounds the proposed changes to local authority funding with the government yet to reveal its final plans. The Advertiser can also reveal that the council has been given just £17,500 by the Government to prepare for the impacts of Brexit, which still remain unknown.