WARRINGTON Borough Council's budget report, including plans to pay all of its staff the living wage by April 2016, was passed at Monday's council budget meeting.

Executive board member for corporate resources and assignments, Cllr Russ Bowden, delivered the proposals tipped to 'drive the council's strategy' on the way to sustaining growth.

However, several areas of the report - which also included declarations to increase council tax, review parking across the borough and job protection - was highlighted by councillors.

The council is set to implement an average weekly tax increase of 45p for homeowners in 2015-16 to support its bid to save £15.5million as it attempts to shift towards 'self-sufficiency'.

The 45p increase refers to band D taxpayers living in unparished homes in the town which are not affected by the parish council precept, although all homes will be affected according to their current tax rates.

Currently, the tax rate for unparished homes stands at £1,404 but the authority feels a 1.9 per cent increase is a necessity, a move which will increase the annual tax costs by £23.41.

The report was backed by 42 councillors, voted against by Stefan Krizanac (LD - Westbrook) and Kevin Bennett (TUSC - Fairfield and Howley), while there were eight abstentions.


"Raising tax was a concern for members but raising it will provide an additional £1.5million and avoids us having to make more cuts," said Cllr Bowden.

Shortly before announcing the council's attention to pay administration staff the living wage, which stands at £7.85 per hour outside the capital, Cllr Bowden also admitted £45.5million will need to be saved in the next four years to cope with budget cuts.

"We have exceeded expectations in what the Outcome Based Budget has delivered for us," he said.

"The council budget will drive the council's strategy to grow a strong Warrington."

Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Ian Marks, chose to abstain from the vote but was pleased by certain aspects of the council's plan.

"We agree with the principles of shifting funding to prevention and early intervention, working in a joined-up way with others and thinking differently about the way we deliver services - we did this when we led the Council from 2006 to 2011," he said.

"We urge the council to work harder to set up agreements with parish councils, volunteers and Friends’ groups and to seek partnerships with local businesses as a way of lessening the impact of these cuts."

Conservative leader, Cllr Paul Kennedy, voted for the budget but urged the council to make it easier for residents to understand technical elements of the report.

Former Labour councillor Cllr Bennett, who resigned from the party in January, also made his points known, in particular on the town's youth zone development plans, but fumed after being ordered to halt his speech by Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Ted Finnegan, due to the time limit.

"This budget is proof of the council's hollow promise," he said.

"I would like this element of budget to be deferred.

"It's like being in the Labour group, you get shut down - it's disgraceful Mr Mayor."

To see in-depth coverage of the budget meeting, click here.