Council budget agreed
Friday, 21 February 2020
We have agreed our annual budget, which confirms a range of service investments, infrastructure projects and efficiency measures for the financial year ahead.
The budget also includes the application of an Adult Social Care precept, which will see a 2% increase in Council Tax specifically to fund adult care services and an increase of 1.95% to contribute towards funding of other services.
In recommending the budget proposals to the meeting of the full Council, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources, Councillor Richard Wenham, thanked all the residents and organisations who gave their feedback through the recent consultation.
He also acknowledged the work of council officers in preparing the budget reports which will include plans to invest £141 million next year on a range of building and infrastructure projects in schools, on the roads and in health and care services.
Additionally, we will continue to fund everyday services such as recycling and waste collection, public transport, leisure, libraries as well as vital services to protect and support vulnerable children and adults. Currently, around two-thirds of the budget is spent on services for children and vulnerable adults. Demand for these services continues to rise, increasing pressure on our finances.
This is why the budget also includes a range of initiatives which will deliver £13.6 million of savings next year, building on the £150 million already saved through efficiency measures since the council was created in 2009.
Councillor Wenham said:
The decisions we take tonight are the culmination of many months of budget planning and development. It’s entirely right that we devote so much effort to our budget as we have an absolute responsibility to invest and protect the services which we know our residents’ value, whilst closely ensuring public money is spent wisely
More detail on the budget will be issued to all Central Bedfordshire households with information on Council Tax levels, during March.