Central Beds Council Leader: Why a 5% Council Tax increase is necessary
Your new Council Tax bill has probably already arrived by now. We know no one welcomes news of an increase - especially when the improvements aren’t always immediately visible.
This year, however, most residents will see a new service: glass recycling collections for every household and we are also expanding food waste collections to include flats.
We’re also investing an additional £4 million in road maintenance; this is on top of the £10 million we get from the Government for roads. I know road maintenance is something many of you have told us is a priority.
Of course, councils do far more than fix potholes and collect bins. Almost two‑thirds of your Council Tax directly funds essential care for children in our care, older residents, and people living with disabilities or complex needs. While most residents may never use these services, they are a vital lifeline for thousands of people across Central Bedfordshire.
We had intended to raise Council Tax only in line with inflation. However, the Government has significantly reduced the funding it provides to Central Bedfordshire Council, creating a £17 million shortfall this year. To protect essential services and meet our legal obligations, we must therefore increase Council Tax by 5%.
The cost of providing adult social care and children’s services continues to rise faster than our income - a national challenge affecting councils everywhere. We are working hard to meet this responsibly. The council is modernising how it operates, using technology to increase efficiency, and reducing staffing costs where possible. We know many households are under pressure, and we have left no stone unturned to ensure we are running as efficiently as we can.
Thank you for your contribution. You may not welcome this increase, but we want you to know that every pound is being spent carefully and responsibly.