Wiltshire Council tax to rise by 4.99% in April amid financial pressures
The increase means Band D households will pay £1,981.15 annually
From April, Wiltshire Council will raise council tax by 4.99%, the maximum allowed by the government, as it faces significant financial challenges.
Band D council tax payers will see their annual payment increase by £94.12, bringing Wiltshire Council’s share of the bill to £1,981.15. On a weekly basis, this equates to an additional £1.81. Rates for town, parish, police, and fire services will be announced separately.
Cllr Gavin Grant, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for finance, described the 2023-2024 financial year as “the most challenging year in the council’s history for balancing the budget.” The council is tasked with finding £29 million in savings to manage its £567 million budget, which is £40 million higher than the previous year.
Costs driving the increase
Three major areas have put pressure on the budget. Adult social care costs have risen due to higher employer National Insurance rates and the increased minimum wage. Children’s services have seen spiralling demand for Education, Health, and Care plans, which support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Waste services costs have escalated by £12 million as the council addresses six major contracts, including recycling centres and kerbside bin collections.
Cllr Grant also criticised the Government’s Fair Funding Review, calling it “unfair” and “very unfavourable for Wiltshire Council.”
Public consultation
Wiltshire’s “largest ever budget consultation” gathered significant feedback to inform the draft budget. At in-person events, residents used green tokens to highlight services they felt should be protected, such as adult social care, children’s services, and education. Red tokens were used to signal areas for cuts, with culture, council housing, and conservation and nature receiving the most votes.
A public webinar on the draft budget will be held on 28th January via Microsoft Teams. The budget will proceed to Wiltshire Council’s cabinet on 3rd February, and then to full council on 24th February.