Residents face council tax increase under new BCP budget proposal

BCP Council has proposed a 4.99% increase in council tax in a new budget proposal for 2025/26.

A new report outlined a range of measures that the local authority intends to enact in order to increase spending on essential services.

It blames the rising demand and increasing costs of services for the need to raise tax income.

The council currently spends the equivalent of £1m per day on keeping everyday services running.

The proposal highlighted the deficiencies in the SEND system – and suggests borrowing £57.5m to resolve the cashflow problems.

Council leader, Millie Earl, said: “Like all councils, we are facing challenges as demand for our services, especially adult social care and children’s services, increases dramatically pressures on our budget increase after years of austerity, rising inflation and increasing costs. 

“We have worked hard to put forward a balanced budget that provides essential services to support the most vulnerable in our society, keeps our communities clean and safe and encourages our towns to thrive and flourish.

“We have made good progress in finding savings and changing how we work to get value for money for our residents while maintaining the Council’s financial health and sustainability.

“We’re working more efficiently as a result of our transformation programme which will have a considerable and lasting positive impact on the future financial circumstances of BCP Council.

“We listened when residents and partners wanted to take on responsibility for those services we could no longer deliver.

“I’m pleased that Christchurch Town Council now funds the running of Quomps Splashpark and a community safety officer for Christchurch Town Centre.”

“We’ve found alternative means to fund some Community Safety Officers as well as funding for installing renewable energy at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, while BH Live Active run the paddling pool at Littledown.

“The SEND deficit remains a serious national issue that is adding huge pressure to all council budgets, as well as ours. While I’m pleased that government have recognised this is an issue not of our own making and are working with us to find a temporary solution to next year’s cost. We are clear that the SEND system and the way it is funded needs fundamental revision to become sustainable in the long term.”

The proposal will now be passed through the council’s scrutiny process.