Council Cabinet set to Greenlight Council Tax Hike Consultation

Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet are set to greenlight a consultation on its plans for a Council Tax hike from April 2024. The council is planning a 2.99% Council Tax increase for its portion of the annual council tax bill, coupled with a 2% rise in the Adult Social Care Precept.

This move comes after the new council this year harmonised Council Tax charges it inherited from predecessor councils. The Eden area faced in April 2023 the biggest increase, with a 5.95% rise. Eden had previously maintained the lowest council tax levels among the three former district council areas that now make up the Westmorland and Furness district.

The Council’s Director of Resources and S151 Officer has said, “Council Tax is the most stable, sustainable, and significant source of income for Westmorland and Furness Council.”

“The financial resilience of Local Authorities across England is under significant pressure and this challenge is no different in Westmorland & Furness. In recent years four Councils have issued s114 notices and at least 16 Councils have received Capitalisation Directions to support their financial resilience.”

The Council Cabinet will meet on Tuesday, December 12th, in Kendal, where approval for the consultation on the Council Tax increase will be considered. That could result in a potential Band D charge of £1,827.76 for the Westmorland and Furness Council portion of the Council Tax bill. Additionally for residents in Penrith, there are precepts for Police, Fire, and Penrith Town Council.

The current precept charges for a Band D property in Penrith for 2023/24 are:

- Cumbria Fire precept: Proposed at £90 per household

- Cumbria Police Precept: Proposed at £297.15 per household

- Penrith Town Council: Proposed at £83.09 per household

It is anticipated that Penrith Town Council will increase its current precept by approximately 3%. Consultations are also expected to be launched early in the New Year regarding precept increases for Cumbria Police and the Cumbria Fire.

Forecasts indicate that the Council Tax bill for a Band D property in Penrith for 2024/25 would be around £2,450.00.

In addition to the Council Tax consultations, the Cabinet is also expected to approve consultations on charging a 100% premium for homes left empty after 1 year and a substantial 400% premium for homes vacant for over 10 years. They will also consult on plans to introduce a 100% premium for second homes effective from April 1st, 2025.