COUNCILLORS have approved Cumberland Council's budget for 2024/25 which included a rise in council tax of almost five per cent.

It was proposed that the 4.99 per cent increase included a 2.99 per cent rise in the core council tax as well as a two per cent adult social care precept rise.

The vote in favour means councillors, who met at the Civic Centre in Carlisle on Wednesday (January 6), have approved the general fund net revenue budget for 2024/25 of £319,014,005.

When she introduced the budget report, Councillor Barbara Cannon , the portfolio holder for financial planning and assets, said that over the past 14 years there had been a "devastating decline in Government funding" for local councils including Cumberland.

Speaking on the budget she said: “I’m pleased that councillors have agreed our budget for the next financial year. The budget not only provides the funding needed to continue with our frontline services that so many people rely on, but it also means that we can deliver on the priorities of the people of Cumberland.

“As has been the situation for councils up and down the country, setting this budget has brought its challenges. Local government funding has been severely stretched in recent years at a time when demand for services has been rising fast.

"The responsibilities of local government have grown too, with many of our residents not realising the full breadth of services we provide from social care to leisure centres, planning, highways and public health.

“This is why our transformation plan is so important, not only to make our services more effective, but also to put us on a more stable financial footing in the future.

"We have a plan and we need to stick to it to achieve the improvements to services we want to see for our residents, and realise the opportunities of local government reorganisation.

“Putting up council tax is never an easy decision especially at a time when people’s own budgets are stretched. With costs rising, increasing council tax helps protect services that are so important for many of our residents - a situation which residents understand given their responses to our consultation.

"For those on the lowest incomes, we have one of the most generous council tax reduction schemes in the country, and I’d encourage anyone who is struggling to pay their bill to contact our customer service team to discuss whether they are eligible for this support.

“The additional income from second homes will help us address the housing issues many of our communities face as well as help bring these homes back into full-time use.”

The Lib Dem group had proposed some amendments to the proposed budget which included:

  • More cash to be made available for school maintenance;
  • Funding for an extra gritter and crew;
  • An extension of the rural mobility scheme pilot;
  • A dedicated traffic regulation order (TRO);
  • That community panels award net zero grants.

Their proposals were supported by councillor Robert Betton (Botcherby, Independent Group) but when it was put to the vote 34 members were against, with just five in favour.

Councillor Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dems) highlighted the fact that funding from central Government had been reduced over the past 14 years and added: "We must do the best with the resources we have."

Councillor David Moore (Gosforth, Conservative) said he thought they were there to discuss Cumberland Council's budget and yet he felt they had spoken a lot about central Government.

He added: "We have no confidence in the budget that has been proposed."

When the proposed budget, which was described in a council press release as being balanced, was put to the vote it was overwhelmingly approved by members.

Central to the plans was spending on improving the health and wellbeing of residents. Initiatives which will be rolled out over the next 12 months include anti-smoking and Live Longer Better campaigns, and the setting up of the Health Determinants Research Collaborative in the area which will look to better understand and address local health issues so that the council can 'respond in a more meaningful way'.

The budget proposals also included spending in areas which meet other key commitments. The first of these was to address inequalities across Cumberland through initiatives like the Food Cumberland Partnership and a programme to transform its children and family wellbeing services.

The rise in Council Tax means a Band D property's bill will rise by £86.35 a year or £1.66 a week.

Councillors agreed to increase the premium paid on second homes by 100 per cent from 2025/26. Meanwhile, Allonby chalet owners will see their 50 per cent discount reinstated.

The council had already identified more than £37 million in 'savings' which were included in the budget. However, a predicted budget gap of just over £10 million remains which the authority said will be funded through the use of capitalised resources and the council’s reserves.

Ahead of the meeting, Carlisle and District Trades Union Council called on the Labour majority on Cumberland County Council not to carry out any further cuts to services or jobs, nor to impose increased fees or charges on the public.

A spokesman said: "We specifically oppose the proposal to axe another 18 beds through the closure of Moot Lodge care home in Brampton. Instead, this outdated building should be replaced by a new one with modern standards and an expansion of beds to meet growing needs from an ageing demographic."