lans for a balanced budget and a 2.99 per cent Council Tax rise have been supported by Norfolk County Council’s cabinet.

Today’s (31^st January) meeting agreed to recommend budget proposals to the full county council, which will take a final decision on 21^st February.

Cabinet agreed to recommend:

• A 2.99 per cent rise in the county council’s share of Council Tax – not the maximum permissible 3.99 per cent
• An increase in the 2022/23 net budget by £25 million compared to this year, to £464.325 million
• A review of the council and how it operates, to bridge a £60 million budget gap predicted for 2023/24

Cabinet member for finance, Councillor Andrew Jamieson, said: “We are tightening the council’s belt, instead of raising Council Tax even higher than we need to, because we know residents face a rapid rise in the cost of living.

“I’m determined to save money by making the council even more efficient and effective – and I’m determined to keep raising our case for fair funding from the Government.”

The 2022-23 budget proposes significant investment, while addressing continuing severe pressure on services, including:

• Adult social services: £35.478 million of growth pressure (including for the National Living Wage), against planned savings of £10.465 million.

• Children’s services: £23.244 million of growth pressure, against planned savings of £12.088 million.

• Community and environmental services: £10.053 million of growth pressure, against planned savings of £3.496 million.

A 2.99 per cent rise in the county council’s share of Council Tax would mean:

The budget will be considered by the council’s scrutiny committee on 16^th February. The final decision on the budget will be taken by the full county council meeting at 10am on Monday, 21^st February.