Cambridgeshire: County Council Budget

By Liz Summers, 22nd February 2012, 06:36

Cambridgeshire County Council has approved budget proposals for 2012/13.

Here are the main points...

* £848 million annual budget and £43 million of savings following government cuts of almost 25% to the council's revenue grant over the last 2 years.

* Council tax to increase by 2.95% (£30.87 a year extra for average family home).

*£630 million investment over the next 5 years 'to make sure Cambridgeshire is open for business and to support prosperity, jobs, education and economic growth.'

* Up to 154 full time equivalent posts to be cut from the County Council (announced to employees in November).

* £77 million to be spent on children's services, mainly for additional school places.

* £188.5 million to be spent on adult social care (an increase of £6.4 million). 

* Investment of an extra £90 million over 5 years to improve the road network (a total of £33 million). 

* £26 million for 'vital transport measures' such as Chesterton Station.

* £29 million for a new link 'to solve the Ely level crossing problem'. 

* £20 million to be spent on super fast broadband.

Councillor Nick Clarke, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: 

“At the heart of this budget is the desire to do what is right for Cambridgeshire and our communities while meeting the challenging savings targets. We have listened closely to what residents have said and our proposals reflect our drive to promote Cambridgeshire as a place which is open for business and can lead UK PLC to recovery while providing local jobs and prosperity."