Members of the public have less than a week left to have their say on what the council should be spending money on in the 2025/26 financial year.
North East Lincolnshire Council is planning its budget for April 2025-March 2026. Councillors will decide on final plans on February 20.
But before a budget is drafted in full, the council wants the input of residents on what they want to see prioritised. An online survey, available here, is running until Monday, January 13. The council says views will be taken into account as the final budget is prepared.
“Like other councils across the country, ongoing challenges will continue with finite resources and a growing need for investment,” said portfolio holder for finance, resources and assets, Cllr Stephen Harness. “However, here in North East Lincolnshire, we are determined to work together with partners to build a strong future.
“By looking at different ways to invest in our people and continuing with our economic regeneration we can work towards achieving this.” The council has won significant government grant money in recent years, which will help pay for planned Cleethorpes regeneration projects, and partly pay for the Freshney Place leisure scheme. Economic relationships have also brought investment by businesses such as MyEnergi, ABP and DFDS on the new Pioneer Business Park.
But like local authorities up and down the country, North East Lincolnshire Council’s budget has been increasingly squeezed by legally required social care obligations. Ten years ago, 43p in every £1 of council cash spent went on social care. Last year, this was at 66p in every £1.
“We are not alone and the pressures on these services are clearly widespread across the country,” said Cllr Harness. “We are well aware of this and are already looking at how we can work differently and together to provide services to support people through their lives.”
Work in the skills sector, children’s services transformation and helping adults to live independently are examples of the efforts being made, added Cllr Harness. As part of the budget process, the council has already decided to keep the same level of council tax support for low income households, capped at a maximum 65 per cent.
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Last year’s budget saw a near maximum council tax increase – before a limit where a local referendum is triggered – of 2.98 per cent on core council tax, and 2 per cent on the adult social care precept. The medium-term financial plan approved last February predicted an £8.6m funding gap in 2025/26.
£12m capital receipts, from the sell off of lands and assets, were set aside for general transformational purposes last year, with £7.7m for children’s and family services.
Council tax limits before a referendum is triggered remain the same as last year. The Government is giving £1.3bn extra to councils, but at least £600m is ring-fenced for social care.
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