Laura Sharman 19 January 2017

Council to hold referendum over 15% council tax increase

Surrey County Council is to hold a referendum on increasing council tax by 15% in order to ‘protect vital services’.

Council leader, David Hodge, warned government cuts had left the council with a ‘huge’ gap in its budget.

‘Government has cut our annual grant by £170m since 2010 – leaving a huge gap in our budget,’ he said.

’Demand for adults social care, learning disabilities and children’s services is increasing every year.

‘So I regret, despite us finding £450m worth of savings from our annual budget, we have no choice but to propose this increase in council tax.’

Simon Bottery, director of policy at Independent Age, said the announcement shows how much funding councils need to meet the rising cost of adult social care.

He said: ‘It highlights the extent to which the cost of adequate personal care for frail and elderly people is becoming dependent on council tax payers. Relying ever more heavily on funds raised from council tax to cover what we know will be growing costs for social care just won't prove sustainable.

‘This demonstrates why we need the Prime Minister to urgently begin cross-party talks to put in place a long-term solution on health and care funding so that millions of older people can access the services they need now and in the future.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Residential Youth Practitioner

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
The Move On Service provides intensive supported housing accommodation for young people aged 16 to 18 years who are in the care of the local authority, working to create individual plans for those requiring additional support for their transition towards Witney
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Locality and Community Support Worker - North

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
The Locality & Community Support Service in North Oxfordshire are seeking to recruit a Locality Support Worker to join their Locality & Community Support Team. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic worker who is passionate about improving outc Banbury
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner