Council to ‘stay on track’ with near 4% tax rise
COUNCIL tax in West Lancashire will rise by almost 4% this year, with Band D payers facing an extra £70 bill.
The rise was confirmed as the borough council confirmed a 2020/21 budget which it says puts the authority on track to be self-sufficient within three years in the face of central government cuts.
Councillors agreed pass the ruling Labour group’s proposed budget which means Band D homes will pay a total of £1,891 in council tax in the coming year.
The borough council said its new budget would allow it to protect frontline services, while also investing in the play area improvements, promotion of Ormskirk Market, new electric car charging points, and replacement and additional litter bins.
It will also put more money into planting trees and anti-litter educational programmes.
The budget faced some criticism from the Our West Lancashire group, which said its alternative would have invested more in Ormskirk town centre, regeneration projects, and on policies tackling the climate emergency.
Only about 11% of the council tax comes to the borough council, with the rest going to Lancashire County Council and the police and fire services. In some areas, householders will also have to pay a parish council precept.
The borough council’s precept will rise by 2.46% this year, compared with 3.99% for Lancashire County Council, 1.99% for the fire service and 4.96% for the police.
Cllr Adam Yates, portfolio holder for transformation and resources, said: “The council has done well to meet the financial challenges it has faced.
“We are working to become self-financing in the future and we will continue to manage our finances well to ensure we can maintain frontline services and fund important new initiatives.”