HOUSEHOLDERS face a tax hike as Carlisle City Council leaders battle to slash millions from its budget.

A council tax rise of 1.95 per cent was agreed by councillors at the authority’s annual budget meeting. It is the first rise in seven years.

The authority must make savings of more than £3.45 million over the next five years with £1.2m needing to be found this financial year.

The Labour-controlled council says that cuts from central Government are forcing their hand into reducing budgets.

There was also a warning from the leader of the council, Colin Glover, that funding for the future remains “uncertain” but they are committed to improving the city.

Les Tickner, who holds the council’s brief on finance, said the council tax rise represents a 1p per day increase for a band D property.

As well as raising council tax the city council will be implementing a number of budget changes, they include:

  • Cutting £214,000 from a grant given to Carlisle’s Tullie House Museum;
  • Slashing £94,000 from community centre grants;
  • A voluntary redundancy/vacancy management schemes to save £1.3m over five years.

However, a number council operations will remain unaffected, including:

  • Freezing car park charges for the fifth year running, with some being reduced;
  • Maintaining the council tax reduction scheme for low income households;
  • Councillors will still be able to offer grants totalling £1,000 to community projects in their ward.

Mr Glover said: “Continued reductions in funding to Carlisle City Council, most notably the £2m further reduction in Government grant, mean that we have had to make some tough decisions when setting our budget.

“Listening council events earlier this year helped us to focus on the priorities that are important to local people and we will do whatever we can to protect frontline services and invest in the future of Carlisle as a vibrant and growing city.”

Political arguments erupted over a number of issues as councillors debated different ways of saving cash.

The Conservative group tabled an amendment which would see the proposed council tax rise scrapped, with £121,000 of savings coming from a review of the authority’s “management structure”.

John Mallinson, leader of the Conservatives, said: “This council is better managed than it was eight years ago. We have a superb management structure and we shouldn’t be afraid of doing it again.”

However, the motion was shot down by Labour councillors with Mr Glover saying the council had already reduced its workforce by 30 per cent, adding pressure to the authority’s ability to deliver services. Mr Tickner agreed, saying the idea “defies belief”.

“There comes a point where there’s no more toothpaste left in the tube, we’re at that point,” he said.

Independent councillors Robert Betton and Jack Paton, who both represent Botcherby, pushed for an additional street cleaner in their ward, which would cost £25,000, and inclusive play equipment in Melbourne Park. Both motions were rejected.