York council tax looks set to increase by 3.99% for York residents in April.
City of York Council’s Liberal Democrat and Green Party-led administration is planning to increase basic council tax by 1.99% for 2020/21 – the highest amount it can raise it without requiring a referendum.
And there would be a further 2% increase to fund social care, providing an extra £1.8 million.
The local authority will also look to make £4 million of savings in the next financial year.
Cuts could include a reduction is jobs at the council and the redesign of some services – meaning they will no longer be carried out by the council.
A council report says staff will be consulted on any changes and every opportunity will be taken to avoid compulsory redundancies.
Spending plans
The plans include £200K to trial robotic technology to improve social care, £500K to upgrade accessibility to York Theatre Royal and £275K to create a pothole repair team.
More than £4.5 million would be invested in helping vulnerable adults – including the costs of care and supporting staff.
And £50K would be spent on extra mental health services as well as £190,000 to help children’s wellbeing.
Cash will also go on improving waste collection and making the green initiative.
Join in
City of York Council leader Cllr Keith Aspden said he hoped people would engage with the proposals:
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It remains a difficult time for local authorities across the country, with significant financial pressures in areas such as adult social care.
However, we have worked hard to ensure that resident’s ambitions for services are prioritised in this year’s council budget.