Frontline services protected in budget proposals

Harborough District Council’s Executive met on Monday 9th February 2015 to make their final recommendations to Full Council on the budget for the year ahead.

As well as a proposed freeze to the district council’s portion of the council tax bill for the fifth successive year, councillors have recommended investment in priority areas, despite one of the biggest reductions in annual Government grant in recent years. 

Investment in council priorities is also planned due to the council’s success with the New Homes Bonus scheme, which has already seen communities with new housing benefit from funding, as well as the retention of business rates growth. 

The budget for 2015/16 proposes investment in: 

• Districtwide projects – with £300,000 to be allocated to community projects 
• Small and medium sized business initiatives  totalling £250,000
• Superfast broadband to improve internet speeds in rural areas with a further £250,000 being committed
• Disabled Facility Grants for home adaptations
• The creation of new business space with the Harborough Innovation Centre full to capacity
• ‘A rural district of culture’ which will develop events to promote tourism 

Councillors said, despite facing a projected budget shortfall last year of between £1.2m and £1.6m, it was presenting a balanced budget and protecting frontline services as a result of careful financial planning and savings across the council.

A final decision on the budget and council tax will be made by Full Council on 23 February 2015.