Northamptonshire's new unitary councils agree 2.99% council tax rise

Both West and North Northamptonshire Councils approved council tax rises

A county's two new unitary authorities have each approved a council tax rise of 2.99%.

North and West Northamptonshire Councils came into existence last year following the collapse of the area's financially-stricken county council.

Finance member for the north, LLoyd Bunday, said its budget would build a "bigger, better and stronger" council.

His counterpart in the west, Malcolm Longley, said his authority was in "a strong position".

Both authorities are Conservative-run after the first elections for the new unitaries were held in May last year.

They each approved their annual budgets at separate meetings on Thursday.

North Northamptonshire Council approved a revenue budget of £295m for 2022-23, while in the west that figure is £342m.

• How will 'worst-run' council's successor fare?

• The story behind the cash-crisis council

• Most homes to get energy bill discount of £350

Adult social care and children's services cost the majority of that money, but in the north the council has also supplied £1m over three years to its pledge to move towards being carbon neutral by 2030.

West Northamptonshire Council's budget included £19.3 million of efficiencies through planned improvements in productivity, and plans to invest in services such as highways, refuse and the promotion of bus routes.