Bolton residents are facing a 5% rise in council tax bills. This change will take effect from April if the budget proposals are approved at the upcoming council meeting.
The council’s cabinet shared that they have a better financial outlook. They received more government funding than expected, which includes a £2.1 million grant for children’s social care.
For a typical Band D property, the annual bill will jump from £2,141 to £2,260. That’s an extra £119 for each household.
Despite the extra funds, the council still faces challenges. They need to save £7.8 million due to rising service demands and costs. Thankfully, they’ve decided not to charge for garden waste collections anymore.
Some cuts, like reducing the number of grit bins and environmental health officers, have also been reversed. Council leader Nick Peel expressed gratitude for the additional funding, saying it eases some financial pressure.
However, he acknowledged the ongoing demand for services is still a concern. Conservative opposition leader Martyn Cox voiced that residents are tired of these tax hikes. He pointed out that many people oppose the increases.
Cox mentioned that 70% of residents in a survey said they’ve had enough. He argued that raising taxes on businesses could hinder growth.
The council’s cabinet has approved the budget, and the final proposals will be reviewed next week. The budget suggests a 2.99% rise for general services and an additional 2% for adult social care.
Currently, the UK’s inflation rate stands at 2.5%.
