South Lakes council tax bills for a Band D house will be just over £2,000 for the next financial year.
South Lakeland District Council approved its budget last night, setting its increase in council tax to 2.51 per cent.
The total portion of the annual council tax bill for an average Band D property will be £204.54, which equates to 56p a day.
Cumbria County Council takes the lion’s share of the council tax, with the other elements made up from district and parish councils and Cumbria police.
The total for a Band D house is set to be £2,015.
Members of South Lakeland District Council were also told that the authority’s sound financial situation meant it could continue to progress key projects, despite pressures caused by the ongoing COVID pandemic.
Councillor Andrew Jarvis, portfolio holder for finance, said the £2 million cost of the pandemic response to the authority was being met from council reserves and that thanks to prudent financial work, it was able to present a balanced budget.
Councillor Jarvis said: “We continue to face challenges but we are still in a strong position to weather any storm and we can still deliver an affordable but ambitious programme in 2021/22.’’
Projects being supported by the new budget include:
- Economic development initiatives to support economic recovery from COVID
- Work to restore the Grange Lido site and improvements to Grange promenade
- Supporting the delivery of more affordable housing
- Contributing to the new roundabout on the A590 at Swarthmoor
- Funding for a new leisure centre in Ulverston
- Investing in car park improvements
- Creation of a Mintworks 2 business enterprise hub in Kendal
- Investment in playground improvements
- Funding for increased disabled access toilet facilities through the Changing Places programme
- Measures in the council’s climate change action plan
Council leader Giles Archibald, said: “These are extremely difficult times but thanks to the hard work of our officers we are able to continue to deliver significant benefits for all our residents.
“We need to protect the council’s long-term finances with prudent management but we are also determined to protect our long-term ambitions and deliver on our key projects.’’
That breaks down as £204.54 that goes to South Lakeland District Council, £1,341 for Cumbria County Council, with a further £157 for the county council’s adult social services. In addition £272 goes to Cumbria police and an average £40 to the local town or parish council.
