COUNCIL TAX TO RISE

 Erewash will have to raise Council Tax by 2.99 per cent this year while continuing to find huge savings if the town hall is to stand any chance of heading off a looming financial crisis, a stark new report reveals. The detailed analysis of how the authority has been impacted like others across the country by the government’s funding squeeze comes from its Director of Resources. Faced with a mammoth financial challenge, the Council's Executive has prepared a draft budget to tackle the dilemma head-on – while giving local people an opportunity to comment on proposals for making savings and generating extra income. 

Leader James Dawson and fellow members of the executive are poised to give the immediate go-ahead to the consultation when they meet on Tuesday 16th January. The canvass of residents will last for three weeks until early February as the council seeks input from locals on what else the authority might look at to remain in the black after this year. 

The GOOD NEWS in the report is that by taking prudent steps Erewash WILL be able to balance its budget for 2024/25. But major action is required to avoid plunging into the red next year and beyond. This is after almost a decade of the borough being short-changed in terms of funding. The report reveals how since 2015 the sum that district councils get to spend per dwelling has risen to £279 an average. In Erewash the figure has only gone up to £236. By comparison, Oxford gets £400. Based on the average figure, Erewash has been losing out on a colossal £2.3million every year. Despite this the council has succeeded in remaining debt free – and has only now had to look at moves such as bringing in charges for garden waste collections. Key takeaways from the report are: 

• The 12p RISE per week for a typical Band D property will take Council Tax for the year to £213.83.  

• Council RESERVES will not need to be dipped into – for the first time in many years. This means the “rainy day” fund can be kept at a minimum of around £2million – which is the level recommended by the Director of Resources. 

• TOTAL AVAILABLE RESOURCES in 2024/25 will amount to £13.645million, including government funding. This represents a 6% increase of £0.787million.  

• The rise has been SEVERELY OUTPACED by soaring inflation and other increasing drains on council resources. It is described as “no way near enough to accommodate the pressures including expected additional demand for homelessness and supported accommodation which has resulted in a 19% increase on the base budget”.  

• Without further action BUDGET SHORTFALLS are forecast to be £0.691million in 2025/26 and £2.557million in 2026/27. 

 

Looking ahead to future government funding settlements, the report warns of likely “real terms cuts for unprotected services, including most of local government.” This is where residents are being asked about their priorities. The report stresses: “The council is committed to being financially sustainable. This means ensuring it can live ‘within its means’, only spending the funding it receives and balancing the budget in any given year without using General Fund reserves. This is our number one priority.” 

The consultation with local people ahead of the budget going to full council in March will see residents urged to complete a questionnaire on the Erewash Borough Council website. Councillor Gordon Thomas, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Resources, said: “Our financial position is nowhere as parlous as many other councils – even though it is clear we have long been getting a raw deal. In terms of core spending power even among councils in Derbyshire ours has seen the most pitiful increase – up 2.5 per cent since 2015. In that same time South Derbyshire council’s rose 22 per cent, while Amber Valley’s went up by eight per cent. We can assure residents that there will certainly be no let-up in us lobbying the government to give us a fairer shake. Meanwhile we want local people to tell us their priorities as we seek to stay in the black. This is the reason for the consultation – and we urge residents to seize the opportunity to let us know their views.” 

NATIONAL INSURANCE

 Over two million people across the East Midlands are set to benefit from the reduction in the rate of National Insurance contributions Maggie Throup OBE MP, Member of Parliament for Erewash, has welcomed the news that2,090,000 people in the East Midlands are set to benefit from the reduction in the rate of National Insurance contributions, saving workers an average of £450.00 a year. 

Having met their target to halve inflation, the Government are now able to reward millions of people for their hard work. From 6 January 2024 employee National Insurance contributions were cut from twelve per cent to ten per cent, delivering a tax cut of £450.00 for the average worker earning £35,000.00. 

The Government will also cut National Insurance for the Self Employed, delivering a total average saving of £340.00 a year which will come into force later this year. 

Maggie commented: “I am delighted that thanks to this Government’s sound fiscal policies, over two million people across the East Midlands are set to benefit from the reduction in the rate of National Insurance, saving workers an average of £450.00 a year. I know this will be well received across our region and in Erewash. This means that people across Erewash will get to keep more of their hard-earned money, ensuring work always pays under a Conservative Government.” 

The reduction in the employee National Insurance contributions now means a senior nurse with five years of experience will receive an annual gain of £600.00; a typical police officer will receive an annual gain of over £630.00; a typical junior doctor will receive an annual gain of over £750.00 and a hard-working family with two earners on the average income will be £900.00 better off a year. This benefit is only possible because of the long-term, difficult decisions the Conservative Government took to get inflation falling and strengthen the economy. 

GARDEN WASTE

 A money-saving deal for Erewash residents who sign up early as the council is forced to bring in charges for garden bin collections will see them get almost a third off. 

The saving for those who pay online in advance will be just £20. The “early bird” offer will be available via the website from Monday 29th January until March 31st giving residents two months to take advantage of it before the green waste charges start. The cost will be £32 if paying over the phone, including during the early bird period. This will also be the online price once the early bird offer has ended. The charge will be £37 if paying in person at town hall receptions, including during the early bird period. Garden waste collections resume in February – signalling a two-month grace period before the brown bin charges begin. Councillor Joel Bryan, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Environment, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we are having to copy other councils by bringing in any kind of charge. Sadly it is something that has been forced on us as local authorities across the country take urgent action to avoid spiralling into debt – with some even going bust.” 

He pointed out that Erewash’s new charges – especially the £20 offer – remain modest compared to other parts of the country.  For example, residents in Melton pay £78 a year. Cllr Bryan added: “We know that amid the current cost of living crisis every penny counts for residents, which is why we have kept charges to a minimum. We would not wish to downplay the impact of now having to charge for brown bins to be emptied – but the service is still a terrific bargain in terms of convenience. For just £20 if you sign up in advance you can avoid all the hassle of garden waste piling up and having to regularly cart stuff to the tip.” 

Garden waste collections are not a statutory service which means that brown bin collections are currently provided at no direct charge to Erewash residents. 

See the Garden waste FAQS page for more information. 

APPLY FOR GRANTS

 Erewash Borough Council is urging residents hardest hit by the cost of living to apply for grants worth thousands as part of a £1million-plus drive to make homes across the borough more energy efficient. The money – for loft and wall insulation, solar panels and heat pumps – comes after it was revealed almost a third of Erewash’s roughly 52,000 residential properties are rated at the lower end of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scale. This compares to a national average of a fifth. 

Funding for the grants over the next two years is being allocated by central government and the shadow East Midlands Combined County Authority, so does not come from Council Tax. 

Levelling-up cash from what is known as the Shared Prosperity Fund is being used – along with other investment as part of the UK’s drive towards Net Zero. The grants are available for owner-occupiers whose gross household income is below £31,000, including benefits. Applying is easy after the council teamed up with Marches Energy Agency, which is an environmental charity specialising in the energy sector. More info is on warmer and greener homes page. 

Councillor Joel Bryan, Erewash’s Lead Member for Environment, said: “This investment is great news as we step up our efforts to get to Net Zero. We are determined amid the cost of living crisis to see that residents get every help. The programme will help to instal energy efficient measures to provide warmer homes, reduce fuel poverty and improve the lives of Erewash residents struggling with the cost of heating their homes. Those people who live in poor housing are more likely to be in fuel poverty and to suffer from long-term health conditions.” 

MOTORCYCLE AND SCOOTER THEFTS

 Recently police have seen an increase in attempted theft and theft of motorbikes and scooters. These thefts are often of an opportunistic nature with thieves riding around looking for parked, insecure bikes to target. It only takes seconds for an unsecured bike to be taken so please remember to secure your bike every time you leave it..... Even if only for a few minutes. 

REMEMBER: 

- Lock, chain, cover 
- Always remove the keys 
- Fit an alarm if possible  
- Property mark the parts 
- Keep it in a garage or shed at home where possible 

For more details of these prevention techniques please follow the link below: 

 https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/theft-motorcycles-scooters/ 

Help us to reduce further crime:  Stolen scooters are increasingly being used to commit further crimes, such as phone snatches. By protecting your scooter you could help to reduce these other crimes.