Councils across Yorkshire set to raise council tax by highest possible amount

Councils across Yorkshire and the UK are facing tighter budgets in the next financial year, and each are taking steps to cut costs.

In most areas, this involves an increase in council tax by the maximum amount of 4.99% This often consists of a 2.99% base council tax rise alongside a 2% increase to pay for the costs of Adult Social Care.

Other measures include changed opening hours for council buildings, increasing charges and closing down buildings.

Here are the different changes coming in to force with the new council budgets from the start of the new financial year in April 2024:

Barnsley

Barnsley Council has said its financial position is “well-managed”, but that things remain “difficult”. As a result, it estimates it will spend £35 million more on running costs in the next financial year, and will make £8 million worth of savings.

One way the council plans to generate more money, is by increasing council tax by the maximum amount at 4.99%. This means most households will have to pay £1.50 more per week and 2% of this will go to adult social care, with 2.99% going to other vital services.

It also proposes £64 million in investments, funding the following programmes:

Health on the High Street Plans
Developing approaches to enrich young people’s lives
Creating an Activity Park next to the town centre’s Youth Zone
Working with the Barnsley Youth Choir to create a Norther Academy for Vocal Excellence
Work to transform Principal Towns.

Bradford

In Bradford, the council says it is under an “unprecedented level of financial pressure”, mostly due to the increase in the demand and costs of Children’s and Adult Social Care. Since 2011, the council has had to make £350 million in cuts.

The council has now stopped non-essential funding and frozen non-essential recruitment to reduce costs. They have proposed a council tax rise of 2.99% alongside an Adult Social Care precept increase of 2%, equating to 4.99% in total.

In addition, it has proposed closing some sports centres, libraries and household waste recycling centres. It has also proposed changes in opening hours and increases in some fees and charges.

Calderdale

Calderdale Council says it is facing a budget deficit of £7.5 million in 2024-2025 and a deficit of £6.2 million in 2025-2026. As a result, they are planning a council tax increase of 4.99% with 2% of this being a social care precept.

It has also made a number of proposals for saving money. This includes:

Savings from festive lighting
Charging for care services within Heatherstones
Reduction in Youth Services
Reduction in level of preventative work in the Youth Justice Service
Reduction in the library book fund

Doncaster

Doncaster Council has acknowledged the financial challenges many councils are facing and has detailed its budget for 2024-2025. According to authority, the council has 25% less to spend on services than in 2010-2011 and so has had to make reductions.

It plans an increase in council tax of 4.99%, including a 2% increase through the Adult Social Care precept. This will increase the tax to £1,649.73 a year for a Band D property.

The council has also said it will need to meet a deficit of £4 million in the next financial year. This means it must save £55 per resident and the council will aim to generate more money through policies such as a 7.7% increase in council house rent.

There will also be investment in services like Education, Housing, Infrastructure, Leisure and Culture. This includes a £227.8 million investment in social housing.

Leeds

Leeds City Council has announced it will need to make £63.9 million in savings over the next year as extra funding from the government is not enough to “make any real difference”. This comes alongside a council tax increase of 4.98% . All of these measures are designed to help the council make a balanced budget, which it is legally required to do.

In its budget for the next financial year, the council has identified £51.9 million in savings in addition with the £12 million in savings already agreed for the year. These proposed changes are:

Car parking charges at Middleton Park, Roundhay Park, Temple Newsam Park, Golden Acre Park and Otley Chevin Forest Park
More parking charges Barley Hill Road in Garforth, Netherfield Road in Guiseley, Fink Hill in Horsforth, Marsh Street in Rothwell and Wilderness and Station Gardens car parks in Wetherby
Changes to the opening hours of community hubs and libraries
Changes to the fees and charges of adult social care
A review of council care home provision
Review of fees and charges at community centres
Review of children’s centres and Little Owls nurseries
Bulky waste removal charges to remain free for each household’s first collection and then be reintroduced for more than one collection in the same year
Pudsey Civic Hall to be closed and made available for sale as it operates at a loss
End council least at Thwaite Watermill Museum through discussion with Canal & River Trust
Reduce council staffing levels by a net 323.1 full-time equivalent posts by the end of the next financial year. Ongoing trade union consultations will attempt to avoid, reduce and mitigate the need for any compulsory redundancies. According to the council, they already have 3,430 fewer staff than in 2010.

Rotherham

Rotherham Council says it has needed to make savings and cost reductions of around £200 million since 2010. It has proposed a council tax increase of 1.5% with an additional 2% on Adult Social Care.

According to the council, this equates to around 79p per week for most households. The council has emphasised their policies of investment.

It says it will invest in Youth Work and Early Help Services, Baby Packs for those born in Rotherham, an upgrade of children’s play areas, restoring Clifton Park Watersplash and a new SEND Hub in the town centre.

Wakefield

Wakefield Council says it is facing a £33.1 million budget gap and so has set out its strategy to meet it. As a result it is making savings of £21 million and aiming to generate £1.4 million from housing growth and £1.6 million from business growth.

Adult Social Care Services would also be supported with £3.5 million generated from a 2% precept and the council also plans to increase council tax by 2.99% equalling the total rise of 4.99%. This would raise £5.2 million.

The council has also said it has a ‘Building a Fairer Future Plan’ which is designed to focus the council’s resources on key priorities leading up to 2026.

York

The City of York Council has proposed plugging a gap of £40 million over the next four years. For 2024-2025, the savings proposed total £14.3 million.

There will also be an increase in council tax by 2.99%, along with the 2% rise to fund the costs of Adult Social Care. This once again totals 4.99%.

The council has also detailed some of their planned savings:

introduction of a green waste subscription service
changes in the contract with Explore to deliver library services
increases in parking charges across the city
city-wide review of personal care and support

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