Cabinet set to meet to discuss budget proposals
A number of proposals are on the table.
Senior Westmorland & Furness councillors will next week consider a proposed 4.99 per cent hike in council tax.
It is in line with Cumberland Council which has also proposed a 4.99 per cent increase which comprises 2.99 per cent for core services and two per cent for the adult social care precept.
Members of Westmorland & Furness Council’s cabinet are due to meet at Kendal Town Hall in Lowther Street on Tuesday to consider the proposals for 2026/27.
According to the report the proposed increase of 4.99 per cent is within the
Government’s referendum limit. It adds: “This raises the Band D charge to £2,014.73.
“The council continues to operate one of the few fully funded Local Council
Tax Reduction Schemes for working-age households in England, ensuring up to 100 per cent support for eligible residents.”
According to the report the council has proposed a net revenue budget of £301.124 million and a council tax requirement of £194.072 million for 2026/27.
It adds: “The combined impact of funding reductions, inflation, rising demand in adult social care and children’s services—particularly SEND transport—and pressures across waste, housing, and property functions generates a budget gap of £36.9 million.
“The council has developed a comprehensive savings programme totalling £30.9 million and proposes the one-off use of £6 million of reserves and provisions in order to achieve a balanced budget for 2026/27.
“Although this balances the coming year, significant structural budget gaps of £16.3 million in 2027/28 and £32.8 million in 2028/29 remain unresolved.”
According to the report a savings programme to support the budget includes workforce redesign and employee reductions, procurement efficiencies, expanded digitalisation and automation, and income generation through revised parking fees, the introduction of a £60 garden waste subscription, charges for replacement waste containers, and updated Windermere Ferry pricing.
It states: “Additional savings are generated through reviews within adult social care, including independence-focused care planning and changes to carers direct payments, alongside measures within children’s services and a wider review of leisure and culture.”
The report states that the capital programme for 2026/27 totals £132.723 million, with a five-year programme of £445.910 million focused on highways and transportation improvements, fleet renewals, ICT modernisation, decarbonisation projects, waste transformation and property maintenance.
It adds: “The treasury management strategy sets an authorised borrowing limit of £450 million for 2026/27, although the council does not expect to require new external borrowing during the year due to strong cash balances.
“The housing revenue account presents a balanced budget, supported by a 4.8 per cent increase in dwelling rents in line with national rent policy.
“This uplift is essential for maintaining statutory building safety compliance, stock investment and repairs, while garage rents will rise by the same amount and staircase maintenance charges will increase by 13.4 per cent to achieve full cost recovery.”