Residents in Calderdale look likely to face a 1.95% council tax rise.
And the increase will apply for this year and next.
New budget proposals by Calderdale Council show plans for an increase after massive financial demands caused by the devastating floods.
The council’s Cabinet has announced budget proposals which include the launch of a flood recovery and resilience fund worth £3 million.
As the authority is now facing exceptional costs the budget proposals also include a 1.95% rise in council tax rates in 2016/17 and 2017/18. Council Tax in Calderdale has only risen by 1% in total over the last six years.
The money raised by the increase will create a dedicated fund which will help to finance the recovery and rebuilding programme following the devastating Boxing Day floods in 2015.
Council officials have already identified savings of £78 million since 2010, and had savings in place that would have met the expected funding gap in 2016/17. Following the Chancellor’s autumn statement and the local government finance announcement the Council needs to find additional savings for 2016/17.
A spokesman said: “We have managed to keep these down to £1.4 million after receiving higher than expected Council Tax receipts and by taking an innovative approach to the way we finance our capital programme.”
The draft proposals, which were revealed at a Cabinet meeting, will now go out for consultation.
Calderdale Council Leader Clr Tim Swift said: “We are facing exceptional challenges in this year and in the years ahead. We have already seen massive reductions in the financial support which we receive from the government, and these will continue until 2020, when revenue support will virtually cease.
“At the same time we are leading the recovery from the largest and most extreme flooding to affect Calderdale in recent history.
“To meet these unprecedented challenges we have developed a new strategy which will allow us to plan ahead to ensure continued financial stability in these uncertain times.”
The budget proposals cover the next three financial years, from 2016/17 to 2018/19, and are available to view at www.calderdale.gov.uk/budget
The council plans a series of public meetings to discuss them and people can also comment via www.calderdale.gov.uk or by post Budget Consultation, FREEPOST
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