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Norfolk County Council's 2023 budget increase council tax by 4.99%




Residents will pay 5% more in council tax this year after Norfolk County Council set its new budget.

Councillors gathered this morning (Tuesday) to approve their new financial plan, and say it aims to tackle "spending pressures" while protecting key services.

Plans will include a net spending increase of £29.6million to meet rising costs.

Cllr Andrew Proctor said the county council had to deal with "underfunding and high inflation" when making the decision to increase tax
Cllr Andrew Proctor said the county council had to deal with "underfunding and high inflation" when making the decision to increase tax

Meanwhile, a council tax increase of 4.99% - in line with the Government’s new cap - has been set. This hike is split by 2.99% for general council tax and 2% for the adult social care precept.

This will increase the county council’s share of band D bills from £1,516.95 to £1,592.64. The move could add between £51 and £152 a year to annual bills for people across the county.

The move comes days after council bosses claimed that their "hands were tied" when making the decision.

West Norfolk Council also touted increasing its public bills earlier this month.

The county council says that a “significant proportion” of the £59.7million in savings it plans to make will come from “doing things better for less” - and will include £17million from the first phase of a strategic review of the council.

Council leader Andrew Proctor said it had to contend with underfunding, high inflation and "other pressures" when determining its budget - but he was “confident that we have the finances of the council under control and that the budget before you today is balanced, robust and forward looking".

He added: “It’s essential we use public money in the best and most efficient ways we can and that’s what this budget clearly demonstrates.”

Cllr Andrew Jamieson, cabinet member for finance, said: “Our priorities are stable finances, well delivered public services, economic growth and protecting and enhancing Norfolk’s heritage and environment.

“We are protecting vital services; investing to tackle flooding; and we have made provision for the aftershocks from Covid and the pump priming the local economy needs to recover.”

The spending agreed for each department is:

  • Adult social service: £249.5million
  • Children’s services: £232.6million
  • Community and environmental services: £177.1million
  • Strategy and transformation: £12.8million
  • Finance and commercial services: £35.8million

At the budget meeting this morning, councillors also approved a £956.9 million capital investment in buildings and equipment, funded by grants and property sales.

New investments totalling £35million include:

  • County farms refurbishment and carbon reduction schemes (£9.4million)
  • The rolling Technology Improvement programme (£8.2million)
  • Scottow Enterprise Park refurbishment (£8.6million)
  • Estate Buildings Decarbonisation initiatives (£4million)
  • Highways improvements (£2.5million)
  • Fire and Rescue services equipment and site improvements (£1.2million)
  • Expansion of waste recycling sites and services (£510,000)
  • One Million Trees for Norfolk (£500,000)

Budget reports are available to view here.



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