Two percent of the increase will be ringfenced to help cover the ever-spiralling cost of social care services for adults and children
The authority’s members voted by a majority to approve the 4.99 percent rise, which will add between £52 and £157 to the charge levied on households, depending on which band their property falls into – and generate an additional £30m. It comes against the backdrop of a double-whammy of surging inflation and increased demand for services which have hit County Hall over the past 12 months.
The county council’s cabinet recently agreed almost £14m of new savings and income generation – part of a total £97.8m of cost-cutting needed over the next three years, the balance of which has been previously agreed. He contrasted those policies with the “BMWs, Lexus and Jaguars” that he said could be seen in the members’ car park.
“What will you do when that money runs out?” Conservative member Charlie Edwards asked. “You don’t have an answer to that.” Claiming that special needs services for young people had not been a “priority” for elected members, she said that all sides needed to “start listening to each other in a sensible way and having proper debate that doesn’t just start within the chamber”.
While not currently part of the party, which is reportedly carrying out an investigation into his remarks, County Cllr Ali’s allegiance remained clear. County Cllr Fillis added that the transitional reserve from which the group suggested funding the extra pothole spending “belongs to the people of Lancashire”.Lib Dem John Potter said potholes should not be written off as a “trivial issue”, stressing that they can be as dangerous to road users as they are costly to the council as a result of claims for compensation. He said a mother had recently told him of a “blow out” she had after hitting a pothole while her children were in the car.
“Members should be under no illusion that investment in Lancashire roads is a number one priority, but what trumps that priority…is our fierce desire to protect the transitional reserve.” What was said: Cabinet member for health and wellbeing Michael Green said the county council’s investment in its network of family hubs, which opened last autumn, was already paying dividends.
What was said: Labour’s Julie Gibson said an acceleration of the county council’s plan to open its own children’s homes, reducing reliance on private providers, would lessen the “added stress” faced by the 70 Lancashire children currently placed in homes outside of the county – and so living away from any remaining family.
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