Balancing the books to protect vital public services is the priority for the next financial year after the budget for 2023/4 was agreed at Budget Council on Monday 27 February 2023.
Cllr Tim Swift, Leader of Calderdale Council said:
In October 2022, the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) estimated the impacts of the economic situation on the local authority. These included:
- providing for pay settlements which ensure the Council can retain and attract staff;
- a likely fall in income as residents cut back on spending;
- higher contract costs due to inflation;
- higher energy costs and
- a significant fall in car parking income.
The MTFS also highlighted that additional investment in children’s and adults’ social care is required. This will ensure the Council is as well placed as possible to respond to rising costs and demand.
With this in mind, the budget for the financial year 2023 to 2024 is built around three key principles:
- investing in social care to address pressures from an ageing population, supporting people to live their best possible lives, working in partnership with the NHS;
- maintaining existing spending levels on front line services, avoiding the need for further reductions; and
- protecting the Council’s finances over the next two years.
To protect and maintain vital public services Council Tax has been increased to 4.99%. This is below the current rate of inflation.
This is made up of an increase of 2.99% and an additional 2% on the Social Care Precept. The increase help to fund and protect social care services to vulnerable children and adults.
The Council Tax Reduction Scheme will remain at its current level.
These increases are factored into the Government’s announcement of the Council’s spending power. The Council has already delivered savings of £120m since austerity started for local government in 2010.
You can read about the approved budget, along with the detail behind the proposals in the following document:
Councillor Tim Swift
Leader, Calderdale Council