If you haven’t had your say on Westmorland and Furness Council’s proposals for changes to your Council Tax from 1 April – don’t delay – you only have until Friday 17 January 2025 to share your views with the council.
Details of the consultation and how to respond can be found at westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/budget.
Copies of the consultation document are also available in council offices in Barrow, Kendal and Penrith, as well as local libraries and other front facing council buildings.
After careful consideration, given the current economic climate and the uncertainty of future funding from Government, Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking resident’s views on a proposal to increase the council’s share of Council Tax by 2.99% for next year. With the Government’s additional 2% increase for the Adult Social Care precept, this takes the total increase to 4.99%.
The proposals are intended to ensure that the new council can continue to provide essential local services and deliver on its ambitious vision and priorities as set out in its Council Plan.
Cllr Andrew Jarvis, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, said:
“I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to respond so far. As you would expect, there are a wide range of views on what we are proposing, both in support and opposition. We are keen to hear from as many people as possible, so I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t yet to have a look at the consultation and let us know what they think.”
Feedback from the public consultation will be considered by Cabinet and then go to Full Council on 27 February 2025 with recommendations, presented alongside the Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).
