The council have released the following statement regarding the budgets for North Lincolnshire for 2014/15
North Lincolnshire council has set its budget for the next four years. The main points are:
- Council tax will be frozen for the next two years. This has been made possible through a combination of cost savings, growth in the local tax base (business and households), and the government offer of a permanent one per cent freeze grant for both years.
- Also Below inflation increases at one per cent for 2016/17 and 2017/18.
The revenue budget, for day to day running of council services, will see:
- Front-line services protected
- £1m more in 2014/15 to care for our older and disabled residents. This brings together health and social care to work with the community and prevent the need for hospital services.
- £150, 000 each year for positive activities for young people
- No increase in charges for sports facilities
- Extension of the free parking initiative to two hours in Ashby, Brigg and Scunthorpe with all day free parking on Saturdays
- Funding to support veterans of the armed forces.
- A grant scheme for community defibrillators following earlier funding in a number of schools
- A commitment to provide adult community learning free to the over 65s
The council has approved an increase in local capital investment to £117m over the next four years. This includes:
- More money for schools including investment in school kitchens/dining facilities to provide free school meals for all infants from September 2014
- The Humber will have its first University Technology College based in Scunthorpe town centre from September 2015
- Increased investment in road and traffic schemes, including £30.2m to improve roads including phase one of the Brigg Relief Road scheme to relieve congestion for the Vale of Ancholme school and neighbouring primary schools, improvements to Berkeley Circle, school safety zones, Crowle and Gunness cycle scheme and new roundabouts for Humberside Airport and Barnetby Top.
- £4.9m on flood defence schemes along the Trent and Humber
- CCTV schemes for Winterton and Barton
- £3m for new sports centre for Crowle
- £1.2m for skate parks and MUGAs
We have made savings by changing the way we do things and by being more imaginative in making the best use of the money available. This has enabled us to protect front line services and freeze council tax increases.
Cllr Liz Redfern, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“Residents told us they wanted no increase in council tax this year and next year and I am pleased to say that we have been able to deliver just that. By procuring well and sharing back office services with other local authorities we been able to save taxpayers money, whilst also setting an ambitious programme for investment across North Lincolnshire.
“A new £1m fund has been established to provide support services for elderly and disabled residents.
“Following the flooding experienced by our communities in December, we have been able to prioritise nearly £5m of investment in works for the area. This is in addition to the money announced by the Government to assist residents to flood proof their homes.
Source: thescunthorpeindependent.com
