- ITV Report
Council plead for more money as budget proposals lay out tax increases and service cuts
Northamptonshire County Council has announced plans to increase council tax by nearly five per cent in a bid to tackle ‘unprecedented demand for services’.
It comes amid news that the authority has to save £34 million next year as a result of government cuts as well as increased pressure on the services they provide.
In an announcement at the Council’s Headquarters, Leader Cllr Helen Smith told ITV News Anglia she doesn’t sleep at night as she tries to balance the budget. She also called on the government to give them extra money for Adult Social Care as they struggle to make ends meet.
The budget proposals unveiled this morning confirmed cuts to services including libraries. It is claimed next year more bus services and road gritting could also be affected.
They say by saving money on services such as these they can direct more into social care services.
The Councillor in charge of the authority’s finances has warned without action they will be soon be unable some of their most vital services.
The Cabinet is meeting to discuss the proposed 2018/19 budget tomorrow (Tuesday 19 December) at 11am.