After a long debate in which the LDGI Group put alternative ideas in a budget amendment, the Conservative budget which involves a 1.99% rise in Council Tax plus 2% Social Care Precept was approved. Seehttps://committeeminutes.suffolk.gov.uk/DocSetPage.aspx?MeetingTitle=(26-01-2021),%20The%20Cabinet
The Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent Group’s amendment would have used the full 3% social care precept the Government assumes, painful but generating an extra £3.452m for social care at a cost of only £13.41 per year to a Band D household. This would be responsible as there is a budget gap which is heading for £158.6 million cumulative by 2024-5 which must be addressed.
The administration’s budget deals with just this year, outlines the future problems, and hopes service “transformation” will dramatically lower costs. They also hope the Government will deliver funds from central taxes but there is no evidence they will. How will the gap be filled? Through substantial cuts, I fear that will target the elderly and the vulnerable and ultimately cost us all dear.