CRITICISM has been directed towards a proposed rise in council tax ahead of the formal creation of Cumberland Council.

The shadow executive for Cumberland Council met on February 16 and agreed the details of its budget, which outlines the spending plans for the new authority over the coming year.

Whilst the budget proposals do include a below-inflation rise in council tax, councillors were keen to encourage anyone on low incomes to apply for the financial support that is available and they may be entitled to. 

The council tax reduction scheme is available to eligible households, and can reduce the amount people have to pay in council tax – in some cases to nothing. 

The budget proposals will now be considered by the shadow authority for Cumberland Council at its meeting on March 1.

The proposed budget seeks to 'harmonise' council tax charges from April 1, based on a weighted average of current band D bills, as the councils are brought together.

Councillors agreed to propose a below inflation 4.99 per cent increase in council tax bills. The increase proposed is for 2.99 per cent on core council tax and 2 per cent for adult social care.

If agreed at the shadow authority meeting, this will result in an extra £1.58 a week for an average Band D bill.  

Shadow executive members felt this was the fairest option as it means every resident in each band will be paying the same for their council services from day one, and ensures an adequate level of council tax income to fund council services. 

Presenting the budget, Councillor Barbara Cannon, portfolio holder with responsibility for finance and assets, said: "On balance we believe it is important to ensure that all residents in the Cumberland area pay the same, per council tax band, for the services that Cumberland delivers.

"As an executive, we do also recognise that the cost-of-living crisis is having an impact on every household – and disproportionally on those with low incomes, but we have little choice but to propose council tax rises this year.

"The alternative to council tax rises would be cuts to services – at a time when we believe those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis need us and these services to be there for them. 

"We will of course continue to support those most in need and on low incomes through the council tax reduction scheme," she said. 

Allerdale is facing a 6.7 per cent increase. 

 

Workington's MP Mark Jenkinson said: "Ramping up council tax at a time when my constituents are already struggling with rises in the cost of living is an outrageous and callous decision by the new Cumberland Council.

"Whilst in administration, Conservative-led Allerdale council worked hard to keep council tax in this area the lowest in Cumbria - and now the new Labour-led council is ripping up all that hard work and heaping more misery on my constituents in the process.

"We are not talking about a small rise, but a whopping 6.7 per cent increase for Allerdale – proof that Labour councillors are not listening to the people who put them in charge."

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