NBBC agree new budget

Faced with a funding gap of nearly £1m, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council Council has taken some tough decisions to ensure that the books balance.

As in previous years, the priority has been on the protection of those front line services that matter the most to residents and those which the Council has a legal duty to provide.

The budget savings that are required result from the latest reduction in Government grant and inflationary pressures upon the Council. Since 2010/11 the Council has experienced a 60% reduction in Government grant.

Savings will be achieved in a variety of ways including savings from our new contract for insurance, some small increases in fees and charges and some savings in staffing costs along with the introduction of a charging scheme for green waste. Once again, the amount the Council needs to save has been reduced by the contributions of NABCEL, the Council’s trading arm, which has exceeded its income targets for the third year running.

Car park prices will be frozen and the Council will continue to protect frontline services. Regeneration and economic growth will be key priorities.

In order to protect essential frontline services, Council agreed to a 2.99% rise in council tax for NBBC; this equates to an increase of £6.78 per year/13p per week for Band D properties. However, as the County Council and Police Commissioner’s precept has increased significantly, the overall council tax bill will increase by 5.5%, which is £98.91 per year/£1.90 per week for Band D. Most people in Nuneaton and Bedworth live in Bands A, B and C properties, so will see a smaller increase.

The Council remains committed to delivering its priorities and, in making decisions on savings, has taken account of residents’ feedback from the recent budget consultation exercise.

The budget for the Housing Revenue Account (which is spend and income on the Council’s housing stock) was also agreed at the meeting last night. This sees rents being reduced by 1% for the year, along with capital investment in new and existing stock of over £23m.