FREEZING council tax and not increasing parking charges are being proposed to help residents cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

The ideas are being proposed as part of the draft Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council budget from April 2023.

The council’s decision-making cabinet on Tuesday, November 8 agreed to go out to consultation on budget proposals to support the key priorities in the new council plan for 2023 to 2027.

Deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and property Cllr John Izett said: “We know that people are struggling financially with the increase in the cost of living so we will continue to do what we can to reduce the burden on council taxpayers. That’s why we are proposing to freeze our part of the council tax next year and not increase parking charges to help residents and businesses.

“This will mean that our part of council tax is likely to be one of the lowest of districts in Hampshire, and most of the rest of the country again. Yet we are still one of the highest spending districts per resident.

“Our strong financial management means that we are in a position to invest in improving services, when we know other councils in the country are having to make difficult decisions about what they can still fund. 

“We want to hear the views of residents, groups and businesses to ensure we are getting the right balance in our budget to support the services and initiatives that mean most to the people in our borough.”

SEE ALSO: Hundreds of disabled residents miss out on benefits due to 'hospital rule'

The proposal to keep the borough’s part of the council tax at £136.42 for the average household is likely to make Basingstoke and Deane one of the lowest of the districts in Hampshire, and most of the rest of the country, again. The borough council receives under nine per cent of the total council tax bill paid by residents in Basingstoke and Deane, with most of the funds allocated to Hampshire County Council.

Car parking charges would be kept at current levels in the proposals, to help reduce the pressure of rising costs for residents and to support businesses. Garden waste subscriptions would also be kept at the same levels.

Despite rising costs and demand, the council is planning to invest in improving valued services and in actions to tackle climate change and improve biodiversity, while keeping council tax low.

The council is proposing to focus more staff on services that customers value most, including improving weekly bin and fortnightly recycling collections and strengthening the grounds maintenance service to keep streets, parks and green spaces clean and tidy.

READ MORE: Police find David James Hall wanted on recall to prison

Additional funding is proposed for staffing to maintain good turnaround times for decisions on householders’ planning applications and improve response times when residents contact the council online.

Extra resources are earmarked to meet challenging climate change targets, including creating a new green team to support residents and businesses to cut their carbon use and be more energy efficient. 

Taking action on the declared ecological emergency, it is proposed to increase the ranger team to support conservation groups and create and maintain biodiversity improvement areas across the borough. 

Recognising the role that community and voluntary groups play in supporting people struggling and helping communities to thrive, the council is proposing to defer a planned reduction in grant funding for a further year, maintaining our £1.35m of support for the coming year. 

To help make the borough a place where people can live happily, more public money is proposed to keep the local arts and cultural community thriving and support Basingstoke Festival in 2023.

Residents can now see the budget proposals and have their say via the website at basingstoke.gov.uk/councilconsult2023, with consultation running until 5pm on Monday, January 2, 2023.