Changes to budget proposals in West Northamptonshire including council tax and parking after public share opinions

Key changes include a reduction in the proposed council tax increase for next year from 4.99 percent to 4.95 percent. This will take the average charge for a band D property to £1,959.40 per year, giving each household a yearly saving of 74p when compared to the original plans for a maximum increase.

WNC says the rate increase and growth in properties will contribute around £16.6 million per year to the council’s budget. This is £600,000 less than the contributions that would have been collected had the full council tax increase been applied.

A reduction in the proposed garden waste charge has also been confirmed, which will see the cost of the service rise from £60 to £69 for the year. This is an improvement from the £80 figure that was originally stated, which would have put WNC as one of the most expensive councils in the country for collection fees.

The council has also made changes to its plans to introduce new car parking fees across the county by bringing in new concessions to support short-stay parking in Daventry and Towcester. It is not currently clear what the exact details of these changes are, but a council spokesperson said this will be confirmed at the cabinet meeting next week.

Councillor John Slope, finance cabinet member, said some of the proposals that the authority had to consider were “far from easy”, but that it had acted on what residents said during feedback.

“What has been especially heartening throughout this process is the strength of engagement from our communities. We received a record number of responses to the budget consultation, and I want to thank every single person who took the time to share their views,” he said.

“Their insights have directly shaped the final budget proposals we will be presenting particularly on garden waste fees and car parking charges which were by far the biggest bones of contention highlighted through consultation period.

“This process shows the real impact that local people can have on the decisions we make. Your feedback does not sit on a shelf, it informs our thinking and, where we can accommodate, influences the choices we take forward.”

According to the council, more than 3,000 responses were received over the six-weeks of public consultation, which closed on February 3. No detailed breakdown of the responses has been included within the cabinet report, but the authority says they have been analysed and that an overview report will follow.

The changes were able to be made, whilst also setting a balanced budget, partly due to the publication of the Local Government Financial Settlement, which confirms specific funding allocations for the local authority. This resulted in a £6.5 million funding improvement for WNC, with £3.5 million of the remaining additional funding being transferred into the council’s contingency budget.

The final budget also proposes that the authority invests £163 million as part of its capital programme for the next five years, which aims to strengthen local infrastructure, support safer and more vibrant communities, and prepare West Northamptonshire for future growth.

The proposals also include £82.5 million investment through the HRA (Housing Revenue Account) capital programme and an average maximum rent increase of 4.8 percent.

Cabinet will consider the final budget on Monday February 16 for recommendation to the full council meeting on February 26.