Council tax and rent increases approved despite concerns over a four-day work week trial by South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Band D households will pay £175.40 yearly to the district council. The total bill will be higher as it includes other groups, like the county council, police, and fire services.
John Williams spoke at a council meeting on February 25th. He said the budget had “lots of positives,” despite the economy.
They plan to expand the fly-tipping team and hire a parish liaison officer to work with parish councils. He stated the government did not compensate them fully and cited National Insurance increases. Costs are increasing for the council.
Heather Williams had some budget concerns, mentioning increased borrowing and interest costs. The Conservative group suggested a referendum focused on the four-day work week. Council staff currently work four days with full pay, completing all their work. The trial aims to help recruitment and staff retention.
Councillor Williams said residents deserve a say and highlighted the importance of referendums, using them for neighborhood plans as a standard democratic process. She said a referendum is needed for big changes, especially if it wasn’t in a manifesto. She questioned the fear if the council is confident that residents should voice their opinion.
She wants to know if residents approve, stating her group understands the mood. The budget proposal addresses this question, and the referendum idea tests their assumptions.
John Williams said the four-day week supports service delivery; it is an operational point, not ideology. The key thing is service outcomes. They are consulting people about their experiences.
He criticized cutting the transformation team’s funds, as that team creates savings for the council. Heather Williams questioned the project’s success, saying they are spending, not saving money. Her proposal lacked enough support, and she could not support a tax increase without it. She wants the referendum included in the plans.
She felt a council tax freeze was not the answer. “Democracy was worth it,” she stated and said without the vote, the increase felt wrong, like they pay people to not work. The budget and tax increase passed.
Council house rents are also increasing at a fixed rate of 2.7%. Shared ownership rents are also due to rise, with the council is looking for a 4% boost.
John Williams said housing accounts are protected, and the funds cannot be subsidized. Tenants pay for repairs; the money helps build more council houses. He felt raising rents was the only option.
He mentioned some tenants have housing benefits to cover costs. Richard Williams said rent increases were a choice, and the council should be clear about that. Daniel Lentell said it’s the last thing they should do.
Heather Williams worried about EPC A or B ratings. Rents might rise to 105% of target for those properties. She said it sends a wrong message; people with sustainable homes might pay more.
John Batchelor said the increase reflected added costs. They improved the homes to meet standards.