Portsmouth council tax hike of 5 per cent to go ahead despite calls from some politicians

Portsmouth councillors on Tuesday approved budget plans first mooted by the Liberal Democrat administration last month for the 2021/22 financial year including a 4.99 per cent rise in tax, three per cent of which will specifically cover adult social care costs.

It also means £1.3m worth of savings being made over the year, with almost 80 per cent of this coming from 'efficiencies' and income generation.

Speaking at the virtual budget meeting leader, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, explained the council's finances were in a healthier position than others. He said: 'While other councils have gone bust we have been prudent with the council’s finances.

'The government has not kept to its word to fully protect our council finances, but we have weathered the storm, put aside £11.9m for additional costs of Covid, and yet been able to put aside £3m from underspends last year to make sure there is money for major capital projects next year.'

As reported, other budget plans include spending £12.5m on a new leisure centre in Bransbury Park and spending £9.5m on school buildings.

However, all political group leaders put forward their own amendments to the budget, which ultimately failed to gain enough votes.

Conservative party leader, and former council leader, Cllr Donna Jones asked that city residents were reimbursed for the 4.99 per cent council tax rise for the 2021/22 year to essentially act as a freeze.

'This will help residents facing real hardship because of the pandemic,' she said.

Also under the Tory amendments were plans to spend £50,000 on new outdoor fitness equipment, £65,000 on extra lighting to make parks safer and £120,000 on more community wardens.

SEE ALSO: New £12.5m leisure centre planned for Portsmouth

It was suggested this would all be funded by the sale of land owned by the council in Havant called Cabbagefield Row, which is being considered as a site for 105 new homes.

Councillor and Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan asked the council to consider moving to elections once every four years, reducing the number of cabinet members and reducing members' allowance to make savings.

He also proposed moving more services in house. He said: 'Insourcing the delivery of key public services improves services, saves taxpayers’ money, increases democratic accountability of public services and will ensure all staff members are paid and supported fairly with better terms and conditions.'

A suggestion put forward by the Progressive Portsmouth People group to spend £25,000 on the expansion of the 4US project to provide a safe environment to the adult LGBT+ community in Portsmouth was agreed by the administration prior to the meeting.

A total of 20 councillors voted in favour of the Lib Dem budget, with 15 against and seven abstentions, meaning it was passed.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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