Bath and North East Somerset residents will see their household bills increase by nearly £90 from April. After an acrimonious 2.5-hour debate and claims the Liberal Democrats were focused more on “vanity projects” than post-Covid economic recovery, B&NES Council’s budget was approved last week.

It increased its share of Council Tax by 1.99 per cent and will charge an extra three per cent that will be ringfenced for adult social care – £72.69 for the average band D property.

The authority is making £8.5 million of savings, but Councillor Richard Samuel said the impact would be far greater if it did not borrow £13 million from its reserves.

The cabinet member for resources told the budget-setting meeting on February 23rd: “It would have been tempting for some to say these are tough times, forget saving the planet, let nature suffer a bit longer, put aside your transport plans, don’t build social housing just now.

“This budget is not just a collection of numbers – it is an expression of our values and aspirations which we retain despite the adversity we face.

“Our budget does set out £8.5 million of budget savings that are necessary to balance the books. Wherever possible I have tried to ensure that these have the least impact possible on our frontline services. We aim to minimise redundancies and there are no imposed cuts, but there are changes.

“No one wants to pay more tax, but at the same time, most residents value the services they receive from the Council. I believe that given the choice most residents would support a modest increase in their Council Tax.”

Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Paul Myers, said the Lib Dem administration had “monumentally failed” to foresee the impact Covid-19 would have on its budget last year and seemed “determined to repeat its mistake”.

He said: “There’s a staggering lack of tailored local support for vulnerable communities, residents and businesses at a time of real crisis, there are proposals that run contrary even to the Council’s professed green agenda, there’s an almost total absence of proposals to support economic recovery post pandemic.”

Cllr Myers said the Lib Dems were pursuing vanity projects ahead of the interests of the local economy.

He added: “This Budget provides further evidence, if any were needed, that the Liberal Democrats in charge of the Council are completely out of touch with the community they serve.

“The only conclusion we can draw from this irresponsible Budget is that they are completely unaware that we are in the middle of one of the biggest public health and economic crises of our lifetimes, as there is not a single proposal that will help residents and businesses recover from the pandemic. Indeed, their proposals will only hamper our recovery.

“The Council Tax increase will hit the poorest the hardest and the savings in Adult’s Services and Children’s Services could come at the cost of affecting the services users themselves, some of whom are among the most vulnerable in our community.

“It is eminently clear – B&NES deserves better.”

Cllr Robin Moss, who leads the Labour Group, said struggling families should be prioritised ahead of liveable neighbourhoods and renewable energy schemes.

“Environmental change will evolve us all changing the way we live and how we act. We have to take all residents with us on that journey,” he said.

“That cannot happen when there are many people who are focused on the next month’s rent or mortgage or the next grocery bill.”

Cllr Sarah Warren, Lib Dem cabinet member for the climate emergency, said the issue is “existential” and “far from a vanity project”. She praised Cllr Samuel for “putting his money where his mouth is”.

Cllr Samuel dismissed the other parties’ proposals as “fantasies”.

The budget was approved with 36 votes in favour, 17 against and five Councillors abstaining.

Council Tax bills are also made up of payments to Town and Parish Councils and Police and Fire services, which are likewise charging more.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens, had proposed a £15 hike for households across Avon and Somerset but was vetoed by Councillors. Her revised budget will see residents pay an extra £13.39.

Avon Fire Authority has increased its portion of Council Tax by 1.99 per cent, asking for an extra £1.49.

On average,Town and Parish Councils are charging an extra 96 pence. In total, the average band D household in B&NES will pay £1,891.36 in 2021/22, up from £1,802.83 this year.

Stephen Sumner, LDRS