BILLS are set to rise yet again in Warwickshire, after the County Council announced its share of Council Tax would go up by an average of £62.40 a year.
Warwickshire County Council (WCC) has agreed a 3.94 per cent tax rise, including a one per cent increase from the adult social care levy and a 2.94 per cent core council tax increase for all services – equivalent to an increase of around £5.20 a month for a Band D dwelling.
The council will also cut its spending by £15million in 2023-24, increasing to £68million by 2028, saying this will be achieved by ‘better procurement, improvements in efficiency, increased income and delivering reductions in demand’.
The council cut spending by £9million in the current financial year – and by £114million over the last nine years – while taxes have continued to go up.
The council also approved its Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2023-28, which sets out investments into services for the County’s most vulnerable.
They include £24.8million to fund additional demand and manage the cost of placements for elderly citizens and vulnerable adults, £8.2 million in home-to-school transport, and £5.4 million in children’s social care services.
Other areas earmarked for investment include placements for children and young people with disabilities; the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) assessment and review service; support for apprenticeships and reskilling across the county; the Fire and Rescue Service; the Waste Management service, and children and families, education, and adult social care.
WCC deputy leader and finance spokesman Coun Peter Butlin said: “We know it has been a particularly challenging year for our residents with rising costs. This is why it’s essential to demonstrate that we have a clear financial strategy that underpins the delivery of the outcomes we set out in our Council Plan.
“From an economic perspective, the approved budget will ensure that Warwickshire remains a county with a thriving economy and places with the right jobs, skills, and infrastructure.
“It will continue to be a place where people can live well; where communities and individuals are supported to live safely, healthily, happily, and independently. On climate change we will continue to strive to be a county with a sustainable future, which means adapting to and mitigating climate change and meeting net zero commitments.
“Planned and prudent financial management has ensured that we have been able to meet increasing demand for support for the most vulnerable whilst at the same time investing in our services and infrastructure over the last few years, and the increase in council tax, along with proposed budget reductions, will enable us to continue to achieve this.”
“The increase we have made is 1.05 per cent below the maximum 4.99 per cent increase we could make, and will be used to meet the rising demand for and costs of adult social care.”
Warwickshire Police has already announced a 5.3 per cent rise in the Police Precept of Council Tax – amounting to £14 a year for an average band D property.
WCC advised anyone struggling to pay their council tax to contact their local district or borough council, which can advise whether they are eligible for a discount or exemption.
Visit www.costoflivingwarwickshire.co.uk for advice about local and national support available for people struggling to manage increased household costs.
