TIME is running out for residents to have their say on proposed council tax rises.

Westmorland and Furness Council has issued its budget consultation document for the 2024/25 financial year asking people for their views on proposed measures which will be presented at a future council meeting.

The council is proposing a 4.99 per cent increase in council tax which consists of a 2.99 per cent basic rise as well as implementing the government’s two per cent increase for the adult social care precept.

The proposed increase in council tax will lead to an annual increase of £57.91 for Band A properties and an £173.75 increase for Band H properties.

Amongst other proposals include increasing the council tax paid on second homes by a 100 per cent premium from April 1, 2025, and applying an inflationary uplift on fees and charges of 6.7 per cent.

Cabinet member for finance, councillor Andrew Jarvis (Windermere and Ambleside, Lib Dems), said in a report: “We calculate that the cost of delivering essential local services will increase by £27.5 million in 2024/25. The funding we expect from the Government will not meet this increase and to ensure that we continue to support essential local services we remain reliant on the income generated via council tax to help increase the council’s income.”

“We are also fully aware of the pressures on our residents and families with the rising cost of living and as such, after careful consideration, we are proposing to increase council tax for 2024/25 by 4.99 per cent. At the time of this consultation being launched even with this increase the council still has a budget gap of £5million.

“But work is underway to close this gap and the council is confident that it will be able to agree a balanced budget, which is a legal requirement, at its full council meeting on 22 February 2024.

“We know that many households are finding it difficult financially and the rising cost of living continues to be a huge burden for many. That is why we have tried hard to keep the increase to the minimum and will continue to support those who are financially vulnerable through our generous council tax reduction scheme.”

The council will continue to provide the council tax reduction scheme for people on low incomes which supported 13,000 households in the area this past year according to council documents.

In the budget consultation report, the council state the proposed increase on council tax for second homes could generate £10 million a year.

The report states: “High levels of second home ownership puts real pressure on the availability of housing for local people, both by reducing the supply of housing and driving up prices. It is one of our key council plan priorities to tackle these issues. We want to implement a consistent policy and approach for empty properties and second homes.

“We are now proposing to delay the introduction of the 100% council tax premium on second homes until 1 April 2025. This would mean that council tax bills would be doubled for second homeowners from 1 April 2025. We estimate that this could generate up to an additional £10 million for Westmorland and Furness each year, which could be used to support delivery of our priorities and help us tackle the affordable housing crisis in our area.”

To have your say on the budget visit the council website here and fill in the survey before January 19: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/your-council/have-your-say/consultations/budget-consultation-2024-2025