[E]den District Council’s Executive last night (23 January 2018) agreed a budget proposal for 2018/19 for Full Council to approve on 15 February 2018, which thanks to strong financial reserves includes no rise in its proportion of Council Tax. This will help to reduce the impact for Eden residents of a proposed 3.9% rise in Council Tax by Cumbria County Council, 2% of which would support adult social care and children’s services.
Eden District Council’s Leader, Councillor Kevin Beaty, said: “Our record of good financial management means we will not be increasing the District Council’s share of Council Tax or cutting any services. We will be delivering more housing for local residents, growing the local economy through initiatives such as the Borderlands Growth Deal and providing better access to our services 24/7 through a digital transformation project. Thanks to strong financial reserves we can include in this budget a new £300,000 fund to support services in local towns and parishes to benefit local residents and businesses.”
Also included in the Executive’s proposed budget going before full Council for determination on 15 February 2018 are:
- Embedding in the annual budget the Eden Community Fund grant scheme of £110,000 a year for all the parishes and local communities to apply for grants to support local projects and events;
- Devolution of local services to Town and Parish Councils will continue to secure these valued services for the future, with funding support from Eden District Council to assist this happening until 2022;
- New renewable heating project spend of £150,000 to support renewable and local energy solutions;
- Investment in planning enforcement so that we have systems in place to secure full compliance with the planning policies and, through that, generating increased investment in development in appropriate places;
- Continue to support and improve alongside Town and Parish Councils footway lighting throughout the District by continued investment in this service;
- The commitment to provide loans to a Registered Social Landlord through the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund of £1m will be realised by 31 March 2018.
The withdrawal of Council Special Expenses from 1 April 2018 (used previously to fund specific services in some parishes, such as grass cutting), could mean a Council Tax rise for some areas where Special Expenses were not charged. The District Council not raising its proportion of Council Tax will lessen this increase.
For more information about Eden District Council visit www.eden.gov.uk or call 01768 817817.
