East Riding of Yorkshire Council has approved the budget for 2024/25 at the annual budget setting Full Council meeting.
The budget for 2024/25 is described by Councillor Nigel Wilkinson, Cabinet Member for finance, as an investment budget, putting residents first and at its heart.
Councillor Wilkinson said: “This budget focuses on the investment this council has, and is, making in People, Places, Jobs and Skills.
“The council has five priority areas to create and deliver a safe and thriving place to live, work and visit, centred on strong and empowered communities through our investment in People, Places, Jobs and Skills.
“We will continue with our prudent use of resources, using them effectively to achieve our priorities. We will also continue to explore new ways of working so the council is able to make the most of the opportunities available to us.”
Council Leader, Councillor Anne Handley outlined a number of projects which will benefit from additional money in the year ahead:
• Do it for East Yorkshire: £500,000 to support community projects from village hall upgrades to community days.
• Imagination library: £500,000 for free monthly books for children birth to age five
• 20 is plenty: £80,000 for pilot road safety schemes
• Positive Activities Grant: an additional £40,000 for projects and activities that support the emotional wellbeing of young people, working to reduce suicide attempts and with members of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Children and young people, from birth to 16 years old, will benefit from free swimming in the Easter holidays, as well as the summer holidays.
Councillor Handley said: “it’s really important to point out that 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 will delivers major projects from upgrading roads, to flood alleviation schemes. Not only are we continuing to deliver our services, we are doing even more.’
The budget outlines that council tax for residents will rise by 4.99 percent this year; a 2.99 percent rise to support general council services, plus a 2 percent rise towards adult social care. This means the increase on the council’s part of the council tax bill for a Band A property will be £56.47 a year, or £42.35 a year for those claiming the 25 percent single person discount. Those living in Band D properties will see a yearly increase of £84.70 or £63.53 after the single person discount is applied.
The budget has been considered by members from all political groups, the Cabinet, Overview Management Committee, the Schools Forum, business ratepayers and trade unions.
Read the budget and 2024 update to the council’s business plan here: eryc.link/councilbudget
