Community cash as council sets budget

West Lindsey District Council has pledged to invest in local communities as councillors set its budget for 2013/14.
Gainsborough newsGainsborough news
Gainsborough news

The local authority set its budget at a full council meeting at Guildhall in Gainsborough last week.

The council has agressed to support the most vulnerable communities by investing £300,000 to help with issues such as fuel poverty, rural services and youth unemployment.

A further £1.6 million will be invested into the housing infrastructure and £2 million will be used to boost the economy and encouraging jobs growth.

But councillors also agrred an increase in Council Tax of around 5p per week for the majority of homes in the region.

Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Coun Burt Keimach said: “Our budget has been set providing residents and business with real value for money services such as waste and planning.”

“Now we have agreed the budget we now need to put our plans into action and deliver what we have set out to achieve for our communities.”

The council said that the increase in Council Tax, the first for three year, will mean services to local people can be protected.

It means residents could pay an extra 1.5 per cent for the district council’s share of the overall bill in 2013/14, an increase of £2.79 per year for a Band D property.

Coun Keimach added: “If we give very small moderate rises which is acceptable, we will be able to protect the statutory services such as waste and planning, which are good value for money.”

The council is now planning an extensive engagement exercise with communities and residents, which is due to take place over the srping and summer.

The consultation is an opportunity for people to inform future priorities and identify where the council could make cuts to the budget.

What do YOU think of the announcement? What would YOU like to see West Lindsey District Council make a priority? Get in touch and let us know by emailing [email protected].