CUMBERLAND Council's leader has insisted that council tax is exactly that - a tax - and not a service charge and Allerdale residents should not get a reduction to compensate for all the disruption caused during recent bin strikes.

He was speaking during Tuesday's (November 21) meeting of the council at the Civic Centre in Carlisle in response to a question from a west Cumbrian councillor - one of three submitted by Councillor Stephen Stoddart (Moss Bay and Moorclose, Independent Group).

He asked: "Given that the Allerdale area has seen one of the highest council tax hikes in England combined with 18 weeks of bin strikes, will the leader of Cumberland Council confirm that residents will receive a council tax refund to compensate them for this extended period of significant disruption?"

In response councillor Mark Fryer (St Johns and Great Clifton, Labour) said: "Whilst I understand the disruption that the industrial action caused, this will not impact on the council tax payable.

"Cumberland Council as well as the local town/parish councils and the Police and Crime Commissioner have a legal duty to set a balanced budget to consider all predicted expenditure prior to the financial year.

"Part of the budget setting process includes setting the council tax to cover education, libraries, road maintenance, street lighting and cleansing, social care, police, planning, waste collection, etc.  It is not a service charge for services provided, but a local tax."

Cllr Stoddart then directed a second question to the leader and asked: "As portfolio holder for sports and leisure for Allerdale Borough Council I personally campaigned for a new swimming pool in Maryport and I was delighted when the Workington MP Mark Jenkinson helped secure £5.5m from central government for the project - and like many other people from West Cumbria I was disappointed and frustrated by the executive's decision not to proceed with this ambitious fully funded project.

"Will the leader of the council recognise that the interventions of the MP for Workington with the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities were critical in making sure the Government Investment stayed in Maryport, and that this funding would have been lost all together without his support for the revised plans?"

Cllr Fryer replied: "The council is strongly committed to the success of Maryport, it is a fantastic town with a vibrant community and brimming with opportunity.  Last weekend saw the opening of the renovated Shipping Brow Gallery which represents a real celebration of the town’s heritage and the creativity of its community.

"Members will be aware of the difficult decision surrounding delivery of a pool and following this, partners pulled together to develop a revised set of proposals for Maryport’s historic waterfront.

"These include a major upgrade to facilities at the Wave, a new infrastructure to support the many outdoor events hosted by the town, a revamped Shiver Me Timbers outdoor play area, an enhanced promenade with new amenities and wayfinding to better link the town and its attractions.

"Following this, in October the Government confirmed their support for these revisions meaning all the funding will be retained for the benefit of Maryport."

He said wider improvements included the creation of a cultural hub at the former Carlton cinema, establishing a new boardwalk, enhanced public realm on Senhouse Street, moving the Maritime Museum into the former Christ Church building and Shipping Brow.

Finally, Cllr Stoddard asked the leader: "I fully support the proposed new mine in Whitehaven which will create jobs, support renewable energy industry, and remove the need to import coking coal from the other side of the World.

"Will the leader of the council confirm his support for this important project, and clarify his position?"

Cllr Fryer said: "The mine was approved by the Secretary of State in December 2022 following a public inquiry. It was approved subject to conditions and a legal agreement. These are designed to protect amenity; secure restoration without costs falling on the taxpayer and to ensure that the mine operates on a carbon neutral basis.

"The mine had been supported previously by the then Copeland Borough Council and Cumbria County Council on three occasions before County Council decided to take a neutral stand in 2021."

He said the mine was expected to generate much needed jobs for the area and added: "I support jobs for Cumberland."