Suffolk councillors approve maximum council tax hikes amid financial pressures
Strained finances lead to increase in council tax for Suffolk County.
Suffolk County Council leaders have agreed to increase council tax by the maximum amount permissible without triggering a referendum, opting for a 4.99% hike as part of the budget for the upcoming financial year.
This decision raises the tax for a Band D property by £82.26, bringing the annual payment to £1,731.69 from £1,649.43.
Councillor Richard Smith, responsible for the budget, presented the plan with regret, citing the council's strained financial circumstances.
Despite the tax increase, Suffolk County is still compelled to draw nearly £1 million from reserves and identify £46.5 million in savings.
Smith described the budget as the best available option to advance positively over the next 12 months.
An amendment suggestion from Reform UK proposed a 4% tax increase, advocating for savings through redundancies and reintegration of individuals on long-term sick leave. This was dismissed by the finance lead as impractical.
The proposal was rejected with only four supporting votes against 56.
Councillor Andrew Reid, overseeing education and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), acknowledged responsible measures within the budget to stabilize finances.
He welcomed the Government's move to clear 90% of historic SEND deficits, benefiting Suffolk with a reduction of approximately £150 million while addressing a £16.8 million shortfall.
Cllr Andrew Stringer, leading the main opposition group, supported the budget despite acknowledging imperfections, describing it as the 'best out of a bad job.'
The budget passed with 50 votes in favor, four against, and four abstentions.