Wiltshire Council tax to rise by 2%, with Covid impact

Wiltshire Council’s budget for 2021/22 was agreed and signed off at a meeting of Full Council on Tuesday, with details of how it will "overcome the challenges brought on by the pandemic" – including setting aside a £4m fund over four years to support market towns recovery from the pandemic.

Council tax will go up by 1.99 per cent, and a three per cent council tax levy specifically for Adult Social Care was also agreed.

The £4m fund set aside to help market towns recover is made up of £1m a year for the next four years.

The council say more details on how this funding will be distributed and its use will be available in due course.

It estimates the direct impact felt from COVID-19 in the 2021/22 budgets for services will be around £5m, which mainly takes into account the loss of income from services such as leisure, libraries and car parking but does not include the loss of council tax.

Ian Thorn Liberal Democrat Group Leader

Budget critcised as 'unambitious'

Councillor Ian Thorn, Liberal Democrat leader at Wiltshire Council, said on Twitter that he was "disappointed".

He added: "We have a council with a greater surplus and greater reserves than in its entire history wanting to charge the maximum amount from residents that it can. 

"Our alternatives will save Wiltshire council taxpayers £2.8 million pounds, provide a greater safety net for those struggling to pay their council tax, and will seek to do the same for struggling businesses." 

The council said: "Despite the challenges and uncertainty that lay ahead, the council’s Cabinet is proposing a balanced budget in 2021/22.

"The council will receive significant one off funding support from Government in 2021/22 in recognition of the ongoing response to the pandemic".

Cllr Pauline Church

'Very pleased'

Councillor Pauline Church, Cabinet Member for Finance, Procurement and Commercial Investment, said: “We are very pleased the budget has been agreed and our focus now is to ensure we give the county and its residents the best opportunities to recover from the pandemic.

“Although it’s been an uncertain financial time to say the least, our strong financial management, prudent planning and transparent way of working means we are still in a position to invest significantly in key services and programmes.

“ The effect of the pandemic will undoubtedly be felt for some time to come, but we’ll continue to work hard and think innovatively and focus our resources in the right areas to ensure Wiltshire continues to be a great place to live, work and visit.”

To see the budget report in full and a replay of the meeting (at its conclusion) can be found here.

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