Council faces difficult decisions on latest budget proposals

At Norfolk County Council’s cabinet meeting on 31 January we will be considering the latest budget proposals – the final decision on the budget will be taken by the full council meeting on 21 February.

The report to be considered by cabinet increases spending on key services compared with 2021/22, at the same time proposing to set a balanced budget for 22/23.

The report tables two possible council tax rises – 2.99% or the maximum possible 3.99% – but councillors have already said they favour 2.99% based on feedback from the recent public consultation.

In the light of this I am confident that cabinet will not agree to increase council tax to the maximum permitted level because we recognise the cost-of-living pressures people are facing – if this budget proposal is agreed, this will mean we have the lowest county council share of council tax in the region.

If approved, this proposal will provide a balanced budget that invests an extra £25 million (net) to support frontline services. We will have achieved this despite having to deal with major challenges, with rising costs, tackling the pandemic and more people coming forward for care.

We face a predicted budget gap the following year of £60 million; the report also proposes a review of how the council operates to tackle this gap. We are accelerating our work to transform the council by using technology and other innovations to become as cost effective and responsive as possible.

Our spending is funded by council tax and government grants and any shortfall must be covered by making savings. We will, instead, save money from how the council is run.

As with all well-run organisations, we have a range of transformation programmes to deliver services more effectively and reduce the costs of delivering them.

We will also continue to lobby the government for our fair share of funding, whether it be in recognising the challenges of being a large, rural and ageing population or in funding health and social care.

We are tightening the council’s belt, instead of raising council tax even higher, because we know residents face a rapid rise in the cost of living. We are determined to save money by making the council even more efficient and effective.

You can watch both the cabinet and council meetings, mentioned above, live or afterwards, or read the reports by going to the Norfolk County Council website.

Cllr Greg Peck, Norfolk County Council, Reepham Division
Tel: 07972 230282
Email:
greg.peck.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk