The decision was made at the Council meeting held in Wigton on 23 February as part of the council’s budget for 2022-23. This will be the final budget for Allerdale Borough Council ahead of the creation of Cumberland Council from 1 April 2023. 

Less that 9% of the money raised from council tax goes towards services provided by Allerdale Borough Council. Some 73% of the bill goes towards services currently provided Cumbria County Council, with 13% going to the Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner. A further 4% of an average bill goes towards local town and parish councils.   

The decision on council tax means that a average Band D bill for Allerdale services will remain at £179.72 for the year, or £3.46 a week.  

The move comes after 73% of respondents to the council’s budget consultation held earlier in the year said they supported no increase in council tax.   

Councillors also unanimously agreed to an amendment to the original proposal which will see £30k taken from the contingency fund and made available for tackling environmental issues such as fly-tipping. This amendment was proposed by Cllr Michael Heaslip and seconded by Cllr Carni McCarron-Holmes. 

A three-year Capital Budget amounting to £41.7m of investment in the local areas was also agreed. The capital schemes include investment in Maryport and Workington through the council’s regeneration projects.  

Commenting on the budget, Cllr Colin Sharpe, Executive member and portfolio holder for finance said: “The last two years have presented the council and our residents with unprecedented economic and social challenges. With this, our last budget, we maintain focus on our council strategy.   

“We continue to invest in services, in our towns and in challenges such as climate change. But we also ensure that we are a sustainable council providing a strong financial platform for the new authority.   

“With this budget we also provide a strong foundation for the area’s recovery. Our ambitious capital programme provides the funding to unlock transformational activity that will boost our towns and our economy. In utilising these funds and continuing to plan for future opportunities, we can demonstrate our commitment to delivering the levelling up agenda.  

“But most importantly we are also listening to what residents are telling us and supporting them through these difficult times. Our decision to freeze council tax will hopefully help many people but we will also ensure that the council maintains the outstanding level of service we provide on a daily basis.” 

Seconding the motion, Cllr Mike Johnson, Leader of the Council added: “Our long-term council strategy is at the forefront of everything that we do. Despite the LGR process we are determined to ensure that this budget has a significant impact in the next year.   

“Even though we only have a little over twelve months left of this council, we are still aiming to deliver the very best for every household and business.   

“We are committed to maintaining a financially secure council but we are also committed to providing quality services, a cleaner greener Allerdale, thriving towns and villages, resilient communities and we still want to invest to grow.  

“But we want to do all that whilst ensuring we recognise the challenges associated with the cost of living as we emerge from the pandemic. That’s why, as hard as it has been, our budget proposal is developed from the perspective of a council tax freeze. A proposal that will benefit every household in the borough. 

He added: “This is a budget that enables Allerdale to continue the fantastic work of the past into the future and means that our towns and our villages will be going into the new Cumberland Council from a position of strength.” 

Full details of the budget can be found on the council’s website.