Unanimous in support of rise in ‘value for money’ council tax for Newark and Sherwood

An exhaustive list of ‘value for money’ services and programmes an authority provides was read out to councillors as justification for a rise in council tax.

David Lloyd, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, boasted of the council’s work in putting its residents at the very heart of what it does — and told the full council on Tuesday the authority’s precept was only 8% of the total council tax bill.

It will help fund £15,535,910 of expenditure.

The Conservative-led council proposed a rise of 1.94%, which for an average Band D property would be £185.56 per year and for Band A £123.71.

“8% of the precept — what do we get for 8%?,” Mr Lloyd asked council members.

“Planning, conservation, unlocking of covid with grants, advice, campaigns, welcome back grant — used for flowers and seating and promotions to make the area look vibrant — business growth and resilience, the Future First Expo for young people, and the IASTI is moving at pace but already it has around 50 students.

“The YMCA should be finished in spring — an exciting project having not only physical but mental health benefits, it will be transformational in what it can achieve — the former M&S that is also coming forward as a catalyst project to show landlords you can convert from retail to residential to help sustain our high street.

“The southern link road, the Heritage Action Zone is going at great speed — it has footfall sensors and telling us things we didn’t know — jobs club set up with more than 60 young adults signed up to the Kickstart scheme, we’ve retained many of our apprentices, unemployment claims are down 25% and business closures are less now than the year before.

“One hopes much of this is to do with the interventions of the council.”

Mr Lloyd went on listing what the council provides and said it represented extremely good value for money, and that other organisations were looking to Newark and Sherwood for inspiration.

“Newark Hockey Club, it’s such a model that Sports England are looking to us and seeing if they can do that elsewhere,” he said.

“Newark Creates — heritage based learning through fun which around 3,040 engaged with those activities, the jubilee will be properly recognised through district and parish levels, we’re working with the Woodland Trust offering an oak tree to authorities, and I’m particularly proud of the installation of the Irena Sendler statue — she enabled many people, children in particular, to escape the tragedies of the Holocaust.

“Newark and Sherwood was chosen for this — there’s not even one in Poland and recognises the strong connection we have to the Polish community.”

Mr Lloyd went on to mention free school meal and activity packs distributed, the Crop Drop scheme, food and energy vouchers, an activities pilot for care leavers, community chest schemes, the Chatham Court community hub and Safer Streets initiative.

He added Yorke Drive was being committed to entirely and that planning would be submitted this spring, as well as work around anti-social behaviour, and recognised the council’s work in the settlement of Syrian and Afghan refugees.

“We delivered when the call was made,” he said. “Our friends in Ukraine will also be coming and when the call comes again, we will meet it as we have a reputation of not just meeting, but exceeding, and we will welcome them.”

Mr Lloyd concluded: “This council has values and I hope this demonstrates the compassion to those in our communities who need our support.”

Paul Peacock, leader of the Labour Group, said he would support the proposal despite concerns over the cost of living crisis — and proposed a cross-party working group to come up with the next budget.

“We’re told we should expect living standards to drop to that in the 1970s,” he said.

“By accepting the budget we are supporting the council workforce and its efforts, we have seen how valuable they’ve been, it is excellent value.

“But I want our council to challenge ourselves and ask to commit to a cross-party working group to recommend how services can be improved — a cross-party budget of 0% increase.

“I believe we can deliver the 0% budget next year without an impact on services. But with a heavy heart, I’m supporting the recommendation.”

Members unanimously agreed the budget and council tax setting for 2022-23.