At today’s Executive Board meeting, Councillors approved the draft budget for the 2014-15 financial year for consultation with local people and businesses.
The local government finance settlement figures show that the Council’s primary funding for the 2014-15 financial year will be reduced by around £1.9million (13.9%). This is due to a reduction in Rate Support Grant of nearly a quarter but also slight increase in baseline funding available from Business Rates retained in the area. This means the Council will have to make significant savings of around £1.9million in its budget for 2014/15 in addition to the £1.2million of savings it is having to make in the current financial year.
The Council’s Executive Board is proposing to increase Council Tax by 2% meaning East Lindsey residents would still pay the lowest rate of District Council Tax inLincolnshire if the budget is approved. People living in a Band B property would pay £1.79 a week for District Council services – just 8% of the full Council Tax bill – with the remainder going to Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Police and some Parish Councils.
The Council’s portfolio holder for Finance, Councillor John Upsall, said: “Like families and businesses, Councils are being required to take tough budgetary decisions to ensure they can balance their books and continue to provide vital services to local people, including some of the most vulnerable people in society.
“Our budget setting process has been rigorous and thorough. We have sought savings and new ways of working to ensure we can continue to maintain and improve service provision while heavily investing in areas which can create new opportunities and jobs in the District.”
Despite the current financial restraints, the Council remains committed to investing heavily in affordable housing, flood alleviation, upgrading public toilets, disabled facility grants and rural development grants which create new opportunities and jobs within local communities.
Compass Point Business Services continues to provide in excess of £19m of savings over ten years, and as part of the Council’s transformation programme the Council is looking at the possibility of establishing a trust to deliver leisure and cultural services, change to wireless transmission of CCTV services, more efficient ways of managing bowls tournament, beach chalets and illuminations.
People can now have their say on the budget proposals before the Council will consider its final budget on February 26.
Local people and businesses can submit views on the budget by visiting www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/
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