Information on Loughborough

Charnwood’s proposals to balance its budget

Posted on 28/01/2010
newsdesk

A below inflation Council Tax rise and savings of £2.5 million are being proposed by Charnwood Borough Council.

The authority is proposing to increase its share of Council Tax by 2%.

This would see Charnwood’s share of band D bills rise from £100.61 to £102.62, a difference of £2.01a year or 3.9pence per week. Total savings of £2.5 million are proposed, reducing the budget for 2010-11 to £19.4 million from £21.9m in 2009-10.

Council leader Mike Preston said: “The recession has affected everyone and the council is no exception, which is why we have to tighten our belts.

We recognise times are tough which is why we are committed to as low a council tax rise as possible and saving money while trying to reduce the impact on services.”

In the current year we are on target to save a total of nearly £2m and in 2010-11 this figure will rise to £2.5m compared with our original budget for 2009/10.

The key savings next year are:

• £1.3m on the Environmental Services and Vehicle Fleet Contracts – we aim to increase our recycling rate whilst still reducing cost to Council Tax payers.

• £245k through freezing/deleting senior management posts

• £230k through salary savings achieved as part of a Service Review Programme

• £440k of various one-off costs which will not be required next year

• £200k savings by reducing insurance premiums and disposal of a surplus leasehold property

The proposals are due to be considered by the council’s Cabinet on February 18, where recommendations will be made to the Council which will meet on March 1.

Final Council Tax bills for Charnwood will include precepts levied by the County Council and the police and fire authorities.

A copy of the draft budget report can be found at:

http://www.charnwood.gov.uk/files/papers/cab_17_december_2009_item_11_draft_2010_11_general_fund_and_hra_budgets/Cab%2017%20December%202009%20Item%2011%20Draft%202010-11%20General%20Fund%20and%20HRA%20Budgets.pdf