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When the budget was prepared last autumn, a gap of £17m was identified - the difference between the costs of delivering services and the funding available to do so.
Considerable work has been done across the organisation since then to find these savings and tough decisions have had to be made.
In common with all councils across the country, we’re seeing costs rise at an alarming rate, with spiralling inflationary increases, stretched staff resources and an increasing demand for services as more residents struggle with the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.
We’re determined to do all we can to support residents, communities and local businesses, to keep services running, and ensure those who need help get it.
Because councils across the country face significant financial challenges, central government raised the limit on the amount council tax could be increased by, to 2.99 per cent.
As well as this, we’re again able to add a further two per cent specifically to fund the increasing costs and demands of adult social care.
This means our share of the council tax bill for an average Band D household will be £1,627.38 in 2023/24 – about £135.62 a month.
This is £6.45 more a month than last year’s average Band D monthly cost of £129.17 and remains the lowest rate of council tax in the West of England area.
A 4.99 per cent increase is more than we’d like to make but is still significantly below the current rate of inflation and below increases seen in other areas of household expenditure, such as food and energy.
As well as our charge, the final council tax bill also includes charges for Avon and Somerset Police Authority, Avon Fire and Rescue, and town and parish councils. We have no control over these increases.
Council tax bills for 2023/24 will be sent out in March and residents will be able to view and download their latest bill online by signing up to e-billing.
Tuesday’s meeting is available to watch on our YouTube channel, and you can read the report and details of the council tax amounts by band and parish on the council website.
No council tax for our foster carers
Our foster carers do an amazing, vital job helping children and young people in North Somerset – so we’re helping them by making them exempt from council tax.
From April, both current and future fostering households who foster through us will no longer have to pay council tax.
We’re also increasing our fostering payments.
We hope more people will come forward to become foster carers with us so more children and young people can be cared for locally, staying close to their family, friends and communities.
If you’re interested, find out more on our Fostering website, email fostering@n-somerset.gov.uk or call 01275 888 999.
Extra council tax support
More than 8,300 people who receive council tax support in North Somerset will automatically get a further £25 discount from their 2023/24 council tax bill.
In addition to this, about 1,000 people who receive housing benefit but not council tax support will also receive a £25 discount.
A further 3,000 households who have children receiving free school meals but don’t receive council tax support will automatically get a discount of £22.16.
These discounts, funded through our allocation of £310,960 from the government’s national Council Tax Support Fund, will be automatically applied for eligible people.
Financial help for those struggling
Financial help is available if you’re struggling to afford energy bills and food.
We’ve been sending out food vouchers to eligible households across North Somerset through our Household Support Scheme.
If you are experiencing financial hardship and don't have enough resources to meet immediate short-term needs, you might be able to get help.
Applications must be made online before Wednesday 15 March.
If you’ve automatically had a food voucher you can still apply to this fund for one top-up voucher.
We can only support one top-up, so please don’t apply if you already have.
Energy support for those not on electricity meter
People living in park homes, mobile homes, in a care home, houseboat, farm or off-grid are still eligible for £400 of energy support.
Most households have been receiving a £400 discount on their energy bills, as six instalments between October and March, through the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme.
However, households that do not have an electricity meter or direct contract with an electricity supplier will not receive support through this scheme.
Alternative funding is available, as a one-off £400 non-repayable discount.
Eligible households will need to apply through the government website, with applications going live from Monday (27 February).
Free managing your money workshop
Are you worried about rising prices and need help and support to better manage your money, bills and debt?
A free, three-hour face-to-face workshop takes place next month to give useful tips and advice.
The course, at 65 High Street, Nailsea, runs from from 10am to 1pm on Monday 20 March and will cover basic budgeting, meal planning and shopping, managing debt and saving money, and how to find best deals with energy and broadband providers.
The session is run by our community learning team in partnership with Alliance Homes, and is free for anyone living in North Somerset aged 19 and over. Places for those with few or no qualifications or on certain benefits will be prioritised.
Everyone who completes the course will get a £20 shopping voucher.
To find out more and book your place email julie.evans@n-somerset.gov.uk or call 07795 390 667.
Free numeracy support, training and qualifications are also available to those aged 19 and over without a GCSE in Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent.
We’re working with Weston College to deliver the national Multiply numeracy programme, funded by the Department for Education as part of its Skills for Life campaign.
This is thanks to a successful bid of £837,241 in funding from the West of England Combined Authority.
The programme will be delivered until March 2025 and includes sessions to suit a range of people, from informal maths cafés to targeted help available for those with English as a second language, and parents and carers.
Find out more and how to apply on our Multiply programme webpage.