PTN 27,February 2025

Councillors are now meeting in Kendal to set Council Tax for Households from April

Members of Westmorland and Furness council are now meeting in Kendal to set the council’s £302.576 million budget and council tax that will be paid by households across Westmorland and Furness with a 4.99% increase.

The chair opened the meeting at Kendal Town Hall by giving thanks to the council’s finance officer and S151 officer who leaves the council at the end of the month.

Cllr Sevens said “you will be very much missed”

In response Pam Dukes who was presented with flowers by Cllr Brook Jonathan Brook Westmorland and Furness council Leader said “thank you everyone it’s been a privilege”

The council members are now working through the meeting’s agenda and councillors agreed that they take a comfort brake before the budget setting agenda item.

Following the resignation of the current Director of Resources (s151), the new post holder will not be in role until late August / early September 2025.

The Chief Finance Officer (s151) is a statutory role, with a legal requirement to ensure that the council have an appointed Interim Chief Finance Officer (s151) to cover the role between the 14th March 2025 (when the current post holder leaves) until the commencement of the new Director of Resources (S151).

Remuneration for the statutory duties will be undertaken by the Assistant Director Finance (Deputy S151) who is currently paid £100,704 per annum plus on costs. Additional responsibility pay will be applied on a temporary basis which equates to £113,434 per annum plus on costs.