Burnley council tax to rise by maximum of 2.99 per cent

Burnley Council's executive, run by Burnley Independent Group, approved the rise - the maximum permitted without a referendum - on Thursday night.

The increase will be recommended for confirmation by the authority's full council meeting on February 27 when its budget will also be debated.

The hike comes on top of the maximum 4.99 per cent council tax hike being enforced by Lancashire County Council, while the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden is also increasing his police precept charge by 4.75 per cent.

The move in Burnley mirrors the same decision taken in Hyndburn last week.

Cllr Margaret Lishman said the council budget is sensible

Cllr Mark Townsend, leader of the borough's main opposition Labour group, condemned the rise during a cost of living crisis.

Burnley Council’s proposed budget for the financial year 2024/25 features a number of growth items including:

• extra resources for sewer baiting to tackle rodent infestations;
• funding to improve housing conditions, in particular damp and mould;
• employing an enforcement officer to tackle anti-social behaviour and deliver a programme of work to identify and target ward-based priorities; and
• further funding for the 'Down Town' community support hub.

The proposed budget would see an increase in household council tax bills of 2.99 per cent.

This means Burnley Council’s share of the council tax bill for a Band D property would be £337.82 for the year – an increase of £9.81.

The majority of the full council tax bill for a household is made up of payments to Lancashire County Council (covering education, social services and highways), the police, fire authority and – in areas with a town or parish council – a ‘precept’ to cover their running costs.

Labour's Cllr Mark Townsend condemned the tax hike

Cllr Margaret Lishman, Burnley council’s finance boss, said: “The council continues to take a strong and sensible approach to balancing our budget while, at the same time, ensuring that we continue to provide high-quality services to residents.

“We’re aware the past year has been challenging for everyone.

"We’ve put forward a budget that continues to help support the most vulnerable people in our communities whilst at the same time addressing the issues that matter most to them, such as clean streets, good quality housing, tackling anti-social behaviour and providing good quality leisure facilities.

“We’ve had to increase our share of the overall council tax bill in order to ensure we can maintain essential services for our residents. However, for the majority of our residents the proposed increase amounts to 13p a week.”

Labour's Cllr Townsend: “The budget proposals are unambitious and don’t go far enough in meeting the needs of residents.

"No additional money for cleaner streets and green spaces will be a major disappointment for many residents especially when they see their council tax increasing by the maximum allowed during a cost of living crisis.”