In a move to address financial challenges and ensure the sustainability of the council, East Riding Council has approved a 4.99% increase in council tax for the upcoming financial year.
The budget proposals also include funding for various initiatives such as pilot schemes for 20mph speed limits, free books for children, increased gritting, and grass verge reinstatement.
Councillor Nigel Wilkinson, the Conservative Finance Portfolio holder, emphasised the necessity of the tax hike to maintain the viability of the council.
Alongside the council tax increase, councillors have also approved a 7.7% rise in council housing rents and a 50p-an-hour increase in car parking charges. However, existing free car parks will remain unaffected.
The council estimates a total expenditure of approximately £403 million for the 2024-5 financial year to sustain its operations and services.
The council will need to withdraw £11.6 million from its reserves to balance the books, including £10 million for the Jock’s Lodge road improvement scheme.
Despite planned savings and administrative workforce restructuring, a deficit of £6.2 million is still projected for 2027-8.
The budget includes specific allocations for various initiatives. An amount of £80,000 has been set aside for trial schemes to introduce 20mph speed limits, aiming to enhance safety for children.
The “Imagination Library,” which provides personalized books to children from birth to age five, will receive £500,000 to improve literacy.
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The Do It For East Yorkshire fund, supporting community projects, will be topped up with £500,000, while £50,000 has been allocated for a flood warden scheme.
Additionally, £40,000 has been allocated to the Positive Activity Grant, benefiting young people.
Other provisions include increased gritting on rural roads and residential streets with £225,000, and £100,000 for grass verge reinstatement. The program offering free swimming for young people has also been extended to cover the Easter holidays.
The budget was approved by all councillors, except for two who abstained.
Councillor Wilkinson, the Finance Portfolio holder, emphasized that the budget is an investment in the well-being of residents, focusing on people, places, skills, and jobs.
However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by rising costs, increased demand for social care services, inflation, and global events, which 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 criticised the budget for relying on temporary solutions. Healy 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 are as follows (excluding precepts levied by other entities such as parish council precept, fire and police authority)
- 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
