West Northamptonshire Council maiden budget a missed opportunity

The Conservative leadership of the Shadow West Northamptonshire Council are proposing real increases in Council Tax but delivering few service improvements.

Daventry District Lib Dem Councillor Jonathan Harris explained 'The headline Council Tax increase of 4.99% is well above inflation, and hides the fact that many residents across West Northamptonshire will see actual rises well above this figure, yet services will be the same as before.'

There was a real opportunity to rethink how services are delivered and how savings could have been made to invest in improvements for residents and better support for low-income families.

'The failure of Northamptonshire County Council to deliver its promised efficiencies in 2019/20 have reduced the scope to make lives better for people across West Northamptonshire next year' commented Councillor David Tarbun.

'We know the Covid Pandemic has meant a strain on services, but tighter management of NCC by the Tories could have reduced pressure on family budgets hit by reduced incomes.' Added Councillor Sally Beardsworth.

Liberal Democrats have called on the new council to better target support for low-income families and vulnerable residents and commit to wider environmental improvements to make all resident's lives better.