Maximum council tax increase will go towards potholes and children’s services

Investment in roads and children’s services has been promised by Devon County Council as it once again looks to increase its share of council tax by almost 5%.

As it has over the past few years, the council’s cabinet has proposed to increase council tax by the maximum allowed amount of 4.99%, with the decision likely to be ratified by the full council on February 24.

The council has said highways will receive an additional £15million of investment to go on maintenance, resurfacing and patching potholes.

It also said it intends to invest £268m in services for children and young people, an increase of £19.1m on the previous budget.

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This covers support for children in care, early help for families, education services and improved fees and allowances to foster carers.

The 4.99% increase will take a Band D property’s bill to £1,891.

The budget proposals also include adding £18m to the council’s reserves.

For years the county has lived with a huge black hole in its SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) budget, which was due to hit £221m in April, but the government has announced it will pay off 90% of that overspend.

The new budget proposals also earmarked £69m for SEND, while schools and SEND services also receive a separate ring-fenced grant of £843m.

The council also said no libraries would be closing, as it said it would restore the book fund to £500,000 by adding £225,000 to it.

A consultation on cutting the hours of most public libraries across Devon is running until Sunday (February 22) as the council tries to encourage more community groups or parish councils to run libraries and it said there would be £425,000 to support the general transition.

It also announced plans to establish a £1m reserve for ‘libraries and rural hubs’ to ‘support genuine transformation and community-led improvement’.

It is the first budget under the council’s Liberal Democrat administration and Councillor James Buczkowski, cabinet member for finance, said: “We said we would deliver change. This budget delivers that change responsibly, sustainably and with a long-term view for Devon.

“We are strengthening our commitment to children, young people and the most vulnerable.

“On highways, Devon’s roads have taken a battering. After years of underfunding and ‘managed decline’ we’ve now seen severe storms, sustained rainfall and repeated freeze-thaw cycles that have caused significant structural damage.

“This investment will improve how we manage schemes, how we communicate with communities and how we hold delivery to account. It is not just about spending more. It is about doing it properly.

“In a tough national funding environment, we have set a balanced and fiscally responsible budget, protected and prioritised children, young people and families, invested in the most vulnerable, strengthened infrastructure and delivery, and remained honest about the financial reality we face.”