Town Council agrees no increase in budget

Cramlington Town Council has agreed not to increase its budget and charge on households from April next year.

This has been made possible by absorbing inflation and cost increases into the Council’s existing budget, made possible by efficiencies and lower administrative spending.

The Council tax residents pay includes a charge or precept to the Town Council. This year the amount payable by a Band D household in Cramlington is £126 a year.

Council Leader, Wayne Davey commented: “When setting the budget we were determined to keep our share of the Council Tax to a minimum, whilst ensuring the quality of services we provide would not be affected. We are also planning some important projects that will greatly benefit residents. These will include a dementia garden at Cumbria Road, a youth zone in partnership with the Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project, and an activity trail at Alexandra Park. These projects have been developed in partnership with the County Council and funded through the Cramlington Regeneration Fund”.

The Regeneration Fund amounts to £3,500,000 to be spent in Cramlington over the next 3 years and will include improvements to cycle paths and pedestrian walkways and improvements to the town centre and Manor Walks.

Cllr Daley added: Whilst we keep a tight rein on spending, over the last year the work of the Town Council has been recognised at a national level. We have won a national award for “Best Council for Community Involvement” and we achieved a gold award in this year’s Britain in Bloom contest. No small feat for a small authority in southeast Northumberland.”

Local residents will have the opportunity to comment on the Town Council’s budget and proposals over coming weeks.