Nearly 4pc council tax rise for Norfolk as County Hall budget unveiled
Band D properties will pay more than £50 a year extra to the county council if the budget is approved. - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2012
People in Norfolk face a rise of just under 4pc in council tax they pay the county council, after the authority unveiled a budget including £41m of cuts and savings.
Norfolk County Council says the budget, in "extremely challenging times", includes investment to help Norfolk's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Conservative controlled Norfolk County Council has unveiled its budget for the 12 months from April. - Credit: Archant
The Conservative-controlled council says, if agreed next month, the budget will support vulnerable people and boost the battered economy.
But, with government funding down £92.8m since 2015, it includes £41.2m of savings - more than £20m of which is new.
Savings mooted include £18m from adult social care and £11.3m from children's services.
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The council aims to save money through redesigning services, so care is less costly.
That would mean the share of a Norfolk band D council tax bill which goes to County Hall will go up by £56.43 to £1,472.94.
Andrew Jamieson, cabinet member for finance at Norfolk County Council. Pic: Norfolk County Council. - Credit: Norfolk County Council
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Andrew Jamieson, cabinet member for finance, said the budget was being set in "extremely challenging times".
But he said: “The budget will not only support the most vulnerable people in our county but will also shift investment towards key community services like libraries and invest in broadband and physical infrastructure, to kickstart our battered economy."
He added: “We will continue to press the government for sustainable future funding for all council services, including adult social care, so that we can continue our investment in future years.”
The council also proposes to invest £102m in capital schemes, including £11.5m for supported housing for young adults and £4m million for children’s residential homes.
Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at Norfolk County Council. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2017
But Steve Morphew, leader of the opposition Labour group, said: "A big council tax hike is unjust and pushes the cost of Covid on to those who can least afford it."
He said the council's reserves also needed "very close examination".
The Liberal Democrats group leader on Norfolk County Council, Steffan Aquarone. Picture: Alex Broadway - Credit: Alex Broadway
Steffan Aquarone, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "The Conservatives at County Hall will have increased council tax by 18pc over the last four years whilst they have cut services savagely, often to those people who are in the most need of help."
