Plan includes increase in council tax and reductions in jobs

Senior councillors in Kirklees are set to review a plan to raise council tax by up to 4.99%. According to the council, the financial situation is less severe than last years 47 million shortfall, which previously led to a hiring freeze, reductions in services, and the sale of assets.

The draft budget report indicates that 6.9 million in savings will be required for 2026/27. As part of cost-cutting measures, 27 council employees could face redundancy. Council leader Carole Pattison emphasized that the council aims to invest in areas that impact residents most while continuing to enhance efficiency and productivity.

The proposed savings would primarily come from reducing administrative expenses and boosting productivity. Although 55 full-time equivalent roles are set to be removed, 28 of these positions are currently vacant. The council hopes to either redeploy affected staff or offer voluntary redundancy to those at risk.

The recommended council tax increase, effective from April, includes a 2% allocation specifically for social care. For a Band D property, this translates to an additional 1.88 per week. The budget allocates 15.2 million to meet the growing social care needs of older and disabled residents, along with 5.9 million to enhance support services for children requiring council assistance.

Funding has also been designated to combat fly-tipping and ensure enforcement of planning regulations.

A draft five-year Capital Programme accompanies the budget plans, including 35 million for a new sports center in Dewsbury and North Kirklees. Additional allocations cover Huddersfields cultural initiatives, 18 million for regeneration in Dewsbury, and 13 million for projects in Batley, Marsden, Holmfirth, and other towns.

Pattison noted that while councils nationwide face financial pressures, Kirklees has "turned a corner." She highlighted that stable finances allow for continued investment in high-demand social care services for older residents and essential services supporting local children and families.

"The draft budget maintains our focus on delivering value for money and improving service efficiency. At the same time, it enables investment in services that significantly impact the lives of Kirklees residents," Pattison added.

The Labour-led councils executive will review the proposals in an upcoming meeting. Residents will be invited to share their views during a consultation period before a final decision is made in February.

Author: Sophia Brooks