Cabinet finalises budget proposals

Plans for a balanced budget and a 2.99 per cent Council Tax rise have been supported by Norfolk County Council's cabinet.

Today's (31 January) meeting agreed to recommend budget proposals to the full county council, which will take a final decision on 21 February.

Cabinet agreed to recommend:

• A 2.99 per cent rise in the county council's share of Council Tax - not the maximum permissible 3.99 per cent
• An increase in the 2022/23 net budget by £25 million compared to this year, to £464.325 million
• A review of the council and how it operates, to bridge a £60 million budget gap predicted for 2023/24

Cabinet member for finance, Councillor Andrew Jamieson, said: "We are tightening the council's belt, instead of raising Council Tax even higher than we need to, because we know residents face a rapid rise in the cost of living.

"I'm determined to save money by making the council even more efficient and effective - and I'm determined to keep raising our case for fair funding from the Government."

The 2022-23 budget proposes significant investment, while addressing continuing severe pressure on services, including:

• Adult social services: £35.478 million of growth pressure (including for the National Living Wage), against planned savings of £10.465 million.
• Children's services: £23.244 million of growth pressure, against planned savings of £12.088 million.
• Community and environmental services: £10.053 million of growth pressure, against planned savings of £3.496 million.

A 2.99 per cent rise in the county council's share of Council Tax would mean:

• A £1,011.30
• B £1,179.85
• C £1,348.40
• D £1,516.95
• E £1,854.05
• F £2,191.15
• G £2,528.25
• H £3,033.90

The budget will be considered by the council's scrutiny committee on 16 February. The final decision on the budget will be taken by the full county council meeting at 10am on Monday 21 February.