Cabinet to recommend budget and suggested council tax rise to full council

Cllr Alan Vincent, Deputy Leader of Lancashire County Council and cabinet member for Resources, HR and Property, said: "The cabinet has today agreed to recommend a revenue budget of £1,110.677m to the full council on February 23, our biggest budget ever.

"This reflects a suggested increase of 4.99 per cent for the authority's portion of the council tax, and importantly this includes a 2 per cent increase to be spent on adult social care, supporting some of our most vulnerable residents.

"Detailed policy savings totalling £15million have also been suggested, which will require public consultation if these go forward for approval.

"The county council continues to be in a relatively good position compared to many councils across the country, but we are always mindful of the need to ensure we are able to balance the books while providing the best services possible.

"All local authorities continue to face considerable financial challenge and uncertainty, which means some difficult decisions are necessary.

“A County Council Network survey in January found 40 per cent of its County and Unitary Councils could not put forward a balanced budget next year, rising to 70% in 25/26.

”We can, and have no intention of getting into the financial mess that many others find themselves in.

"We remain committed to doing everything in our power to keep services running both efficiently and effectively, while keeping spending under control."