Kirklees Council tax hike agreed as hundreds of millions are pumped into services

Labour council leader Shabir Pandor said: “There’s a funding crisis in adult social care and these vulnerable people need and deserve our support more than ever.”

He called it “a ticking timebomb”.

On that basis the council was putting up council tax by 4.99% – the maximum allowed – meaning a £1 per week increase in bills for residents living in Band A properties and £1.50 per week for Band D homes.

There was sniping and back-biting throughout the meeting, which lasted almost six hours.

Opposition groups tore apart the Labour budget. In response Labour opened fire on other parties. All sides sought to score points during a fractious debate.

Coun Pandor said the Labour group’s budget was “bigger than numbers – it’s about values” and that it focused on “how we can invest where the greatest need is and how we continue to invest in our future.”

Labour committed to pumping £650m into capital infrastructure improvements, including the regeneration of Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres, £319m into local services and £180m into housing.

Children’s services will get £78m.

The Conservatives’ Coun John Taylor said his group was “strongly of the view” that a maximum council tax rise was unnecessary and that “greater efficiencies” could be found within the authority’s budgets.

“The government guidance is that councils are able to take a social care precept of up to 3% and also can increase the council tax, without a referendum, up to 1.99% but should only do so if their circumstances require it.

“To be clear: it is a political decision of this administration – and one we do not share – to take the maximum they can, ignoring the impacts this will have on hard-working taxpayers.”

Tories called for extra cash to support Christmas bin collections, to invest in “crumbling” roads, and to tackle flooding and drainage issues as well as climate change concerns, air pollution, improved recycling and a single-use plastic ban.

Liberal Democrats suggested a 3.99% council tax rise by phasing the adult social care element over two years.

The Greens proposed a six-month rent-free period for the borough’s hospitality sector to cover cafés, coffee shops, pubs, restaurants and clubs.

Coun Mus Khan (Lab, Dalton) said Tory efficiencies equated to job cuts and reduced services.

Conservative group leader Coun David Hall accused Labour of going for the easy option and the lazy option. he called the budget process “a sham” and that Labour’s budget was “devoid of ideas”.

Coun Cahal Burke (Lib Dem, Lindley) said Labour’s budget was light on detail and lacked ambition. The council tax increase was “excessive” and would “hit residents hard”.

He added: “Why does this Labour administration want to hurt and impose such increases on families already in crisis?”

Lib Dem group leader Coun John Lawson urged caution over what he described as “escalation of commitment” to projects such as the £250m Huddersfield Blueprint.

“Conceived before Covid, we have to question whether the plan is still relevant or not. Something needs to be done in Huddersfield patently but is it this?

“We have a brief hiatus in which to check which way the wind blows.

“Don’t be afraid to change course. You won’t get any criticism from me if you avoid getting trampled by a white elephant.”

The vote for Labour’s budget was carried by 35 votes to 33. Three independent councillors, all ex-Labour, sided with their former party to secure it.

Conservatives, Lib Dems, Greens, the Holme Valley Independents and Coun Aleks Lukic from the Dewsbury Borough Independents all voted against.