8 February 2024

East Riding of Yorkshire Council today (February 8) approved its annual budget which leaders said would put “residents first and at its heart.”

A statement from the council’s Conservative Group said that at a time when many councils were failing to produce a balanced budget and were declaring section 114 notices (cutting all but essential services), East Riding Council was not cutting services and was investing: 80k in a 20mph trial scheme to invest in children’s safety’; £500k into the ‘Imagination Library to deliver books for free to all young people in the county; and a further £500k to the successful “Do it for East Yorkshire” Fund, supporting community projects from village hall upgrades to community days. 

Also, £50k will be invested in the Flood Warden Scheme for local Communities to help reduce the impact of floods on residents; £40k into the successful “Positive Activity Grant”, to deliver more activities for young people; an extra £225k to increase gritting on rural roads and residential streets; and £100k for Grass Verge reinstatement..

Council Leader Anne Handley said: “It’s really important to point out that we are not cutting services as a council, we are not going bankrupt, we will continue to deliver our services for residents, collecting the bins, fixing the roads, social care for our loved ones and our capital budget which delivers major projects from upgrading roads, to flood alleviation schemes.”

Last week East Riding Council announced plans to put council tax up by the maximum allowed to cover a £12.7m gap in its budget. The increase of 4.99% for households would see the yearly Band D bill rise to £1,782.72, up by £84.70. It doesn’t include any precepts levied by Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue and parish and town councils.

Budget papers said the decision was made after a “challenging year” for local government finances. The budget includes £8.3m savings and a £7.3m increase in income along with the proposed council tax hike. The council is also reported to be using £11.6m from its reserves.