03/02/04 - County Council Budget 2004/5

Today, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet agreed amendments to the proposed budget, which will be, recommend to Council on 19 February.  The budget will ensure that Council tax rises in Cumbria are within the lowest for comparable councils across the country.  The proposed 4.3% rise follows the highest level of consultation for budget preparation and takes into account the results of the SIMALTO public consultation.

Mike Ash, Deputy Leader of the Council says,

“This is a budget that gives me a great sense of satisfaction.  We have achieved full passporting of funds to Education and Social Services and have further increased support to vulnerable people by an additional  £1M.  For the first time in five years we are spending the maximum available to us for Highways (£32.2M) despite the £1.8M reduction in real terms from the Government.  We are also ensuring that the Council’s reserves are increased. 

In short I think that this budget is a really good deal for Cumbrians.”

Rex Toft, Leader of the Council says,

“The budget over the last few years has been an exercise to correct problems and get the Council’s finances in order.  This is the first year that we have had a base to work from that has enabled us to produce a budget of this quality and I would like to thank Mike Ash and the officers involved for their work.  An additional aid was extra funding from Government due to the increase in uptake of Attendance Allowance in the county.  The initiative to commission Age Concern to raise awareness and increase uptake of Attendance Allowance was initiated by the Council in 2002 and is now reaping benefits.

The Council has made significant positive steps in the last year to improve its corporate planning process and building on the lessons learned is seeking to continuously improve both the process and the outcome of this vital work, to ensure it has the capacity to deliver its ambitious agenda for the future.  This is an investment budget which does not draw on reserves and still succeeds in keeping council tax as one of the lowest amongst comparable councils in the country.  I am very pleased to recommend this budget to Council.”