Setting the budget and council tax – Pendle Council’s strategy for 2012/13

Savings of £1.75 million pounds need to be made during 2012/13 and councillors will learn about the progress being made towards achieving this.

Councillor Linda Crossley, who takes a lead on finance for the Council, said:

"Our priority is to protect investment in the services that matter most to local people. 

"We will continue to make sure that we manage our finances well and at the same time protect vital services for local people.

"But it is a real challenge when we are faced with having to make such huge savings."

Head of Finance, Dean Langton, explained:

"Like every other council in the country, Pendle continues to look at a number of different ways of saving money to ensure that it sets a balanced budget."

At the meeting, Executive councillors will also be informed about the Government's proposals to localise support for Council Tax benefit.
Under the proposals, councils like Pendle would be able to design their own Council Tax Rebate Scheme but will be given less funding from the Government.

Dean explained:

"The Government is currently consulting on changes to the way in which support for Council Tax will be provided.

"These are proposed changes the Government is considering as part of its wider reforms to Welfare Benefits."

Executive Councillors will look at the options, which could include the possibility of Lancashire County Council leading a local scheme that will cover a number of councils, including Pendle.

The Government's consultation on the changes to support for Council Tax ends on 14th October 2011.

For details on how to have your say, visit www.communities.gov.uk and search for 'localising council tax'.