Council tax at East Cambridgeshire District Council could be frozen for 12th year
A council tax freeze has been proposed for the twelfth year at East Cambridgeshire District Council, but more savings may need to be found.
Cllr Anna Bailey, the Conservative leader, said she was “confident” the authority will be able to present a balanced budget for the next two years.
Officers had set out proposals for the coming financial year, including an assumption that the council’s share of the council tax bill would be increased by the maximum amount allowed.
This change would see a Band D household pay £147.14, up £5, to the district council in 2025-26. Under this plan, savings would still need to be found in future years, including £5.3million in 2027-28.
But at a meeting of the finance and assets committee on 30 January, Cllr Bailey put forward an amendment asking for the authority’s share of the council tax bill to be frozen for another year, meaning a Band D household would continue to pay £142.14 a year.
However, Cllr Bailey also asked the committee to authorise the director of finance to bring forward proposals to identify savings to balance the budget in the coming years, without a council tax increase.
She said: “Barring any shocks in the financial settlement I am confident we will be able to present a balanced budget for the next two years.”
The council’s final budget proposals will be presented to councillors at a full council meeting next month.
If a council tax freeze is agreed, residents will still see their council tax bill increase as other authorities are expected to increase their share.