Chorley Council budget agreed for year ahead including Council Tax rise

Chorley Council is raising its portion of council tax for the coming financial year by just under 3%.

To further mitigate the ongoing financial challenges, the council will increase their portion of Council Tax of 2.99%, which is the equivalent of just 12p more a week for a band D property. This will allow the council to maintain vital services, whilst still having one of the lowest council tax bills in Lancashire. 

The council will also continue to support those most vulnerable and in need of additional Council Tax support through its Council Tax Support Scheme.  

The Garden Waste Collection, an opt in service, will increase from £37.50 to £40.00 per year.   

Councillor Peter Wilson, Deputy Leader of Chorley Council said, “I am pleased that despite financial uncertainty, we have been able to propose a balanced budget which will allow us to continue to deliver our vital services while investing in key areas we know are important to our residents – tacking some of the big issues which have impact on the quality of life for our communities.

“I want to thank all of our residents to who shared their views on our proposals, and I look forward to getting started on all the things we have planned.”

A range of investment set to be delivered along with vital day-to-day services includes: 

• £837,700 to create temporary accommodation to help larger families who are experiencing homelessness.

• £32,400 to improve access to social housing, supporting people trying to access social rented homes.  

• £308,000 to carry out renovations to the West Wing of Astley Hall and support the ongoing preservation of our heritage assets  

• £1.56 million to create the infrastructure for weekly food waste collections

• £331,000 to implement a targeted business grants programme to encourage growth and expansion  

• £215,700 to progress the delivery of the Central Lancashire Local Plan to ensure sustainable development and investment opportunities that meet local needs.  

• £44.48 million to deliver town centre transformation
• £47,000 to support Chorley’s voluntary and community sector

• £3.65 million to deliver the refurbishment of All Seasons Leisure Centre

• £74,700 to continue to deliver the cost-of-living action plan to provide a range of ongoing interventions around food, fuel poverty, debt, and housing.     

Councillor Wilson continued: “We’ve been doing all we can to reduce our costs and maintain services in the wake of large increases in inflation driving up our costs.

“This has included changing the way that we work, generating income through smart investment and finding new ways to deliver services more efficiently, such as through digital and automated processes and reviewing staffing structures and service.”

Councillor Wilson continued, “It’s never an easy decision to raise our charges, but this, alongside making savings and efficiencies is the only way we can still support our communities each day. 

“Our Council Tax rate remains one of the lowest in Lancashire, and our opt in garden waste subscription is the equivalent to just £1.82 per collection.

“We are an ambitious council who regularly goes above and beyond what is usually expected of a local authority. We have our residents at heart and have showed time and time again we make smart and considered decisions which allow Chorley to thrive.”