COUNCILLORS have approved a 4.98 per cent council tax increase in Warrington.

The 2024-25 medium-term financial plan, draft revenue budget and capital programme were approved following a vote at the full council meeting at the Parr Hall on Monday.

The budget for 2024-25 totals £194.292 million, which includes £15.9 million of savings.

A report to full council stated that the Labour-run council already has ‘robust systems’ in place for monitoring the delivery of savings and will continue to use the existing approach to ensure the delivery of savings throughout 2024-25.

Labour's Cllr Denis Matthews, cabinet member for corporate finance, said a ‘sustainable long-term funding settlement’ is required to provide all councils with the certainty that they need to protect essential services that residents deserve.

He also said that the council can balance its budget 'despite Conservative austerity' because of the council’s investment portfolio, adding the £23 million 'surplus profit' goes directly to supporting Warrington’s most vulnerable residents.

Labour's Cllr Hans Mundry, the council leader, said the budget 'serves the needs of the people of Warrington'.

Cllr Ken Critchley, Conservative, said the Conservative group would not be supporting the budget proposed as he spoke at the meeting ahead of the vote.

“We believe there are serious doubts as to whether this is a balanced budget,” he said.

"We believe there are serious doubts regarding the adequacy of the council reserves."

Cllr Critchley also said 'we believe that the budget being proposed will only crystallise the risk' of financial instability of the council and 'increase the risk' of a Section 114 notice within the next 12 to 24 months.

Cllr Mark Jervis, Conservative, said: “This Labour administration has failed and it is time for a change.”

After the meeting, Cllr Critchley said: “This council, with its enormous debt, is still like the Titanic heading for the iceberg, it’s not listening, it’s not changing course, and it’s not slowing down.”

Council tax will increase by 4.98 per cent in 2024-25 – which includes a two per cent adult social care precept.

It will see an average Band D property pay £1,779.19 of Warrington Borough Council tax.

But a report to full council stated, after taking into account the council tax requirement of the borough council, the police precept for Cheshire, and the fire precept for Cheshire, there would be a total cost of £2,132.22 for an average Band D property, in an area without a parish council.

Meanwhile, it stated that the average Band D property, in an area with a parish council, would see the cost total £2,171.10.

After the meeting, Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Bob Barr said: “Regardless of political colour, it is the responsibility of all parties to pass a balanced budget.

“The Conservatives voted against the budget which just affirms they don’t care about the vital services the council provides for the people of Warrington.

“Their speeches were all about financial matters like assets, treasury management strategy and risk with barely a mention about people’s lives and how many are struggling to cope in the current climate.”