Harborough residents consider latest council budget proposals
The council has set out its budget priorities for 2021/22 as it looks to address an annual budget gap of around £4 million.
Image credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Submitted by Harborough District Council
Harborough residents have been having their say on the council's latest budget proposals.
Harborough District Council is looking to tackle significant financial challenges in the year ahead and has set out its budget priorities for 2021/22 as it looks to address an annual budget gap of around £4 million.
The gap has arisen from an increasing demand for services, reductions in government grants, and unavoidable cost increases.
On top of this, the impact of the pandemic has meant the council has lost significant revenue and has had to provide services in new and innovative ways.
The cost to the council is approximately £2.3 million, which has been partly met by direct government support, but it still leaves a deficit of nearly £1 million (£976k).
Councillor James Hallam, Harborough District Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet lead for finance, said: "We have significant financial challenges which need to be addressed if we are to put forward a balanced budget.
"We will invest in ICT to improve services for our customers, as well as other key areas which are important to residents such as CCTV, disabled facilities grants, housing and homelessness schemes, leisure, open spaces, and play areas."
To address these challenges, in 2020 the council launched 'Budget Challenge 2025', which aims to transform services, ensuring that sufficient financial resources are allocated to key priority areas.
Savings have been identified in all council service areas. The council will also look at opportunities to provide long-term income to boost financial sustainability and resilience.
Proposals have also been put forward to increase Harborough District Council's share of the council tax by £5 a year, per Band D household, in the Harborough district. This is currently the maximum amount permitted by the government.
On January 19, Harborough District Council's Cabinet recommended that the proposals go to the council for consideration in February.
The council will continue with its 'Capital Programme' over the next four years, which will see investment in local projects totalling more than £12 million.
Following feedback from the public, Harborough District Council will approve the budget at its council meeting on February 22 2021.
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