The Government has announced that Councils can increase Council Tax by up to 3% from April without a local referendum or 5% for those with adult care responsibilities.
Here is Councillor Nick Harrison’s take on our current position.

Borough Council

The forecast expenditure against this year’s budget is for a comfortable under-run. The Borough’s Budget Panel has concluded that the draft budget for the coming year is “achievable, realistic and based on sound financial practices,” with minimal impact on service scope and quality. However, £2.4 million of reserves are being used, a situation which cannot continue for ever. The biggest risk is inflation. The current draft is based on a council tax increase of 2%; the government has since announced that for borough councils the maximum allowable without a local referendum has been increased from 2% to 3%. The Council’s Executive has yet to conclude whether this higher rate should be adopted.
County Council

In our Winter Magazine I said that the County Council was forecasting an overspend against budget of up to £30 million in the current year; this has now been reduced to about £15 million. The budget for the coming year is less developed with gaps still to be plugged. The current draft is based on a council tax increase of 2%; the government has announced that for councils with adult care responsibilities like Surrey, the maximum allowable increase without a local referendum has been increased from 2% to 5%. The Council Leader has publicly pledged that he does not expect to use the full 5%.
For both councils, the Council’s Executives will make their final recommendations on the budget and council tax towards the end of January, with the full Councils voting to accept or reject that recommendation in February.
Residents Association councillors pay close attention to scrutinising and challenging budgets, efficiency measures and changes in services.
Free “School” Meals in School Holidays
You may remember Marcus Rashford’s successful campaign about the provision of meals in school holidays for children of families on universal credit, forcing Boris Johnson into a U-turn. Surrey, like most councils, are now providing food vouchers for such children, supported by ad hoc funding from government. Councillors have voted unanimously for this to continue on a permanent basis, supported by appropriate government grant funding, and the Council is writing to the MPs in Surrey and the Government.
Nick Harrison
County Councillor for Nork & Tattenhams
Borough Councillor for Tattenham Corner & Preston