Documents seen by Your Herefordshire show that Herefordshire Council is planning to make significant savings in 2023/24 with cuts to a number of services it provides.
In addition to this, the deferred increase in parking charges in 2022/23 is set to go ahead in 2023/24, at a time when the high street is already struggling.
The council is also considering a trial enforcement period for littering offences to help raise money towards the budget.
Bank Holiday bin collections are also likely to be scrapped, with collections to slip by one day.
However, the major decision that will impact most households is the proposed 4.99% increase in council tax.
Herefordshire Council documents state that ‘a balanced budget for 2023/24 is proposed. The 2023/24 base budget proposals are based on the provisional local government financial settlement and a proposed increase in council tax of 4.99% which includes 2% for Adult Social Care.
This is the maximum increase permitted, a higher increase would require the support of a referendum.’
‘The council tax base for 2023/24 has grown by 1.2% to 71,073 band D equivalent properties. This growth, and the proposed increase of 4.99%, would generate an additional £7.4m in council tax income in 2023/24.’
The proposal is likely to be met with much opposition, with many households struggling to make ends meet with higher energy bills and a cost of living crisis meaning that food and fuel costs have risen sharply, as well as mortgage and rental costs for many.
Herefordshire Council councillors will be asked to approve the 2023/24 budget on 10 February 2023.
At the same meeting Council will also be asked to approve the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2023/24 to 2026/27, Treasury Management Strategy, Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the Capital Strategy.
More information – https://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=63148#mgDocuments
