22 Dec Have your say on North Northamptonshire Council’s spending plans
The draft revenue budget for North Northamptonshire Council was approved by the Executive today (December 22) and now the council is seeking views on its proposals for the next financial year.
People can take part in the consultation in the following ways:
• Completing the online survey.
• Writing to: North Northamptonshire Council, Sheerness House, Meadow Road, Kettering, NN16 8TL
Please see our consultation web page for more ways on how to have your say.
North Northamptonshire Council’s budget proposals set out a detailed spending strategy for the authority for the financial year 2023/24 as well as outlining the medium-term financial plan for the next two years.
The council is working hard to protect vital services, while at the same time proposing a balanced account on the net revenue budget of £336 million for the next financial year.
This money provides a range of services to residents and businesses across the area including care to vulnerable adults and children, education, the disposal and collection of waste, household waste recycling, highways, economic development, housing and support for the homeless.
The budget has laid strong foundations for financial stability against a backdrop of global financial uncertainty.
Cllr Lloyd Bunday, the council’s Executive member for finance, said:
“This draft budget is not something that has been arrived at overnight, it is the culmination of months of hard work and I would like to thank all who have been involved. I would encourage people to look at our proposals for the next financial year and have their say on our plans.
“Residents, local partners and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to review the proposed budget and provide feedback during the five-week consultation period.
“The consultation phase is a very important one in the budget setting process as it’s essential that we get the views of all of the people the proposals effect before we can shape the final plans in February.”
Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council, said:
“As a council our aim is to improve services for the people of North Northants and our annual budget announcement shows our plans on how we intend to do that over the next 12 months.
“Putting this budget together has not been easy and we have been very cautious with our finances. We continue to work tirelessly to deliver savings, to innovate, improve services and to attract funding from outside of the area.
“It’s important our residents get the opportunity to comment on these proposals and it would be great to hear from as many people as possible from a variety of backgrounds.”
Government has permitted local authorities to increase the Council Tax rate by 4.99% in recognition of the difficult financial climate and increased inflationary pressures.
As such the authority is proposing an increase allowed by Government in council tax of 4.99%, which includes the 2% adult social care levy. There is no change to the Local Council Tax Support Scheme which will continue at 25%.
This consultation on the proposals will run until midnight on Friday, January 27, 2023. The Executive will then meet on February 9 to consider final budget proposals for recommendation to Full Council on February 23.
