Suffolk County Council set to raise tax by around 4%

Suffolk County Council supported the budget today after voting against amendments by the opposition for an additional increase to fund lower speed limits and community transport.

The agreed 3.99% increase to council tax will see a Band D homeowner paying £57.51 more a year.

Cllr Richard Rout (Image: Suffolk County Council)

Cllr Richard Rout, cabinet member for finance and the environment, said: “We never forget that the money we spend is not our own. It is levied from the people of this county, and we do not spend it lightly.

“This administration never thinks the only answer is increasing taxes by the maximum we can.

“Through sound financial management, a strong track record of healthy reserves and continuous service improvements and innovation, we could strike a fine balance in this budget.”

The Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent (GLI) group of councillors suggested adding an additional 0.89 percent to council tax – the equivalent of 25p a week for Band D property owners.

This would be put towards increasing funding for libraries, hiring an officer dedicated to net zero carbon, investing in and electrifying minibuses for public use and piloting the reduction of speed limits to 20mph in residential areas.

It would have also helped to create a local scheme of benefits and passes for cultural events and activities for paid and unpaid carers.

Cllr Andrew Stringer (Image: Archant)

Cllr Andrew Stringer, leader of the GLI group, said: “We have focused on areas that Suffolk residents feel are most urgent and critical to the challenges we face.

“Suffolk has a declared gap between our emissions and targets. It is crucial that our net zero carbon emissions are given the best chance of success through a carbon budget officer.

“Many are put off walking, cycling or horse riding because of inappropriate speeds. Seeking to amend speed limits on a case-by-case basis is incredibly expensive and long winded.

“Fuel costs have hit our libraries hard. Investing £300,000 in libraries will return £1.8 million in social value – a true invest-to-save business model.

“In my area alone, there are villages with double the housing on the horizon but that have experienced a fivefold decrease in public transport – if they have any public transport at all.”

The GLI group also proposed reversing the budgeted £1 million saving taken from the pot dedicated to hiring into roles such as carers and social workers.

Cabinet member for adult care Cllr Beccy Hopfensperger said this would not mean slowing down recruitment – and that money would be returned to this pot if interest in these jobs increased.

However, Cllr Stringer stated it was not “upfront” to take this as a saving.

The amendment was lost with 42 against, 11 for and four abstentions.

Cllr Bobby Bennett (Image: Simon Lee Photography Suffolk UK)

Cllr Bobby Bennett, cabinet member for equality and communities, responded to the proposal to increase library funding by explaining that £250,000 has been committed for libraries for quarter one of 2023/24, and further support will be put to cabinet in May.

The Labour group abstained on the amendment. Its deputy leader Cllr Sandy Martin explained this was not because the group was against it but because “nothing we say or do here will make a difference to the fact local government needs to be properly funded and it isn’t."

The 2023-24 budget was balanced through £31.1 million of savings and mitigations.

The final vote on the budget was won with 41 for, eight against and five abstentions.