The council is currently preparing its budget for the next financial year and is seeking the views of local people to help shape its plans.
Central to Cumberland Council’s ambition is to deliver the vision set out in the 2023-2027 Council Plan, which puts improving the health and wellbeing of residents at the heart of everything.
The council’s annual net revenue budget – the money needed for day-to-day service delivery such as energy, staff and keeping buildings open – is around £330 million. The pressure on this budget is ever increasing with rising demand for many services – in particular adult social care and children’s services – combined with a higher cost of delivery.
The authority is taking action to deliver better services more sustainably through its transformation programme and while progress has been made since Cumberland Council was formed in April 2023, work continues to realise the potential savings these projects will bring.
Councillor Mark Fryer, Leader of the Council, said: “Demand for the services Cumberland Council provides, particularly in children’s services and adult social care, continues to increase and it comes at a time when the cost of delivering this support has gone up, with increased prices for energy, materials and staff.
“We are waiting to see the full details of the budget settlement from the government and any changes to the way they approach local government funding, but budgets nationally remain tight in the short term.
“We do not have time to waste on delivering the sustainable council services we agreed with you in developing our Council Plan. We have some tough choices to make, but our aim remains the same: to deliver excellent public services that put health and wellbeing at the heart of everything.”
Among the budget plans being considered is a change to the council’s share of council tax. Council tax provides around half of the council’s net budget and to continue to provide the services residents and businesses need, there is a proposal to increase this by 4.99 per cent, made up of a 2.99 per cent increase generally, with a further two per cent rise for the adult social care levy. If approved, this would add £90.66 a year for a typical band D property, or £1.74 a week.
To help residents on low incomes the council will continue to provide the council tax reduction scheme, which remains one of the most generous in the country and helps reduce a bill for those most in need. This can mean some residents who qualify not having to pay any council tax.
Local people will be able to give their views by taking part in the consultation in two ways; which can be done by filling in the more traditional survey and using a new interactive online tool which allows participants to prioritise the council services most important to them.
Councillor Barbara Cannon, Executive Member for Financial Planning and Assets, said: “During our first eighteen months in operation a significant amount of work has been undertaken to progress our Transformation Plan and laying the groundwork for more sustainable services over the coming years. Local government reorganisation in Cumbria presented us with challenges, which are still being faced, but also opportunities to do things differently, improve the services we provide with better outcomes for our residents, and save money.
"We can only achieve these better outcomes with collaboration from our communities, so we’d welcome the views of local residents and businesses as part of our annual budget consultation. I’d encourage you to take part if you can.”
To access the consultation, go to consult.cumberland.gov.uk/. Hard copies will also be made available at our offices and libraries.