Ambitious plans to push forward with economic growth, improve the environment and continue to support social care for local residents were approved by councillors in North East Lincolnshire tonight.
Among the proposals announced at a meeting of the full council at Cleethorpes Town Hall this evening were plans to change the way waste is collected in the borough, the announcement of a Festival Of The Sea in Grimsby, exploring the removal of charges on public toilets in Cleethorpes and looking into restoring the council tax discount for Special Constables in the borough.
Council Leader Philip Jackson said the budget proposal supported what residents and businesses wanted – common sense, effective and efficient local government.
“During our first ten months in office, we’ve essentially been operating with the budget we inherited from the previous administration, albeit that we’ve been able to flex within the budget envelopes,” he explained.
“This has made it more difficult to pursue our objectives, but we have still managed to achieve significant improvements in many areas. That has been our focus during our first ten months and will continue next year. This budget focusses on delivering the efficient and effective frontline services people want and addresses the regeneration and industrial development of our key towns of Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham.”
Elected members approved the budget, including a 1.98% increase in council tax and 2% precept for adult social care. The increase amounts to £60.85 or about 17p a day for a Band D property. The overall council tax bill will also depend on precepts set by the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner, who has yet to confirm the level of any rise.
The budget will see council tax income rise by £2,779,000 from £61,231,000 to £64,010,000, with the adult social care precept rising from £4,927,000 to £6,507,000 – a difference of £1,580,000.
A report considered by members said that in 2020/21 “the council will receive a real terms increase in funding for the first time in ten years.” This includes an extra £147,000 in its revenue support grant, £1,130,000 in its business rates retention and £3,455,000 social care support. The report added that the money will be used to support the delivery of core services and invest in others to make them more efficient and cost effective.
One of the important proposals will see homes given two wheelie bins for their dry recycling following strong public support for the proposal in a recent consultation. Paper and card will be collected in one bin and plastic bottles, tins, cans and glass bottles and jars in another. There’ll also be another option for properties that don’t have space for more bins. This new proposal, which it is hoped will be introduced by the end of October, will replace the current three recycling boxes, while weekly food waste collections will also be tried out in parts of the area in the next 12 months.
Councillor Jackson said one of the council’s key initiatives was restoring pride in the borough. “Improving the street scene was a key aspect of this,” he added. “By changing the way we operate and bringing about efficiencies, we have already made significant improvements to grass cutting, weed control, litter collection and grounds maintenance. However, we recognise there is still a long way to go and next year’s budget enables us to devote more resources to this priority area and accelerate the improvements we’ve already been able to deliver.”
Article from NELC.
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