Council budgets see maximum 4.99% tax rise

North Northamptonshire councillors debated the budget at the Cube in Corby

Both of Northamptonshire's unitary councils have approved the maximum possible tax increase for the next financial year.

West and North Northamptonshire councils each agreed new deals on Thursday and said they had put together a balanced budget, which means they should not have to overspend.

Residents in both areas will see a council tax increase of the maximum allowed by the government without a referendum - 4.99%.

Finance member for North Northamptonshire, Lloyd Bunday, acknowledged "one of the major risks is our demand-led services".

His counterpart in the west, Malcolm Longley, said: "If demand for children's and adults' services continues to rise it [the budget] will be tricky".

Both North and West Northamptonshire councils are increasing council tax by 4.99%.

This means the charge for a Band D house per year in the North Northamptonshire area will go up by £86.84, while the charge in the West Northamptonshire area will be £88.73.

Both authorities are Conservative-run and they each approved their annual budgets at separate meetings on Thursday.

'Potholes after a frost'

North Northamptonshire council's overall revenue budget for services including social care, education, waste disposal, highways and housing was £400.9m.

The council said it was investing an extra £51.9m into services, including £23.7m into adult social care and £6.2m into children's services.

Various fees and charges have been increased to fund some of the expenditure including country park parking permits and discretionary home to school transport.

Labour's Anne Lee said the budget ritual was "as predictable as potholes after a frost".

West Northamptonshire Council meeting took place in The Great Hall at the Guildhall in Northampton

West Northamptonshire Council said it was planning a capital programme worth £100m, which would include £12m on highways improvements.

It was also setting aside £2m to create family hubs in Daventry and Northampton, and £3.8m for the Northampton north-west relief road.

A total of £20m would be spent on temporary accommodation.

The proposals also included increased parking fees and the cost of garden waste collections.

Presenting the Labour amendments Keith Holland-Delamere said "the pace of change has been slower than many wanted" and "a bolder vision was needed."

The Leader of the council Adam Brown disputed this stating that the Local Government Association peer review had "applauded" the council "for the pace of change and progress in the first four years."