Fighting Council Tax Rises IN BURNLEY

Conservatives Fight to Cut Your Council Tax

In a first at Burnley Borough Council, Cllr Jamie McGowan and the Conservative Group formally proposed a 1% tax cut to help hard-pressed local families.

Although the proposal was voted down, Jamie continues to argue that residents are sick of constant above-inflation rises while services struggle.

Jamie said: “Families are struggling with the cost of living. We should be looking for ways to reduce the burden on residents, not keep increasing it.”

He will keep making the case for lower taxes and better value for money.

Here's the full motion: Budget & Council Tax Setting 2026/27

Amendment from the Opposition Conservative Group

Proposer: Cllr Jamie McGowan.

Seconder: Cllr Neil Mottershead

• The Conservative Group recognises the work that has gone into Burnley Council’s Budget this year.

• However, there is widespread dissatisfaction with high levels of taxation, exacerbated by Lancashire County Council’s 3.8% increase to Council Tax.

• We therefore present a plan to reduce our element of council tax by 1% from the current 2025/26 level for all residents for 2026/27.

Our amendment is as follows:

1. Agree to reduce council tax by 1% from the current 2025/26 level, setting the Band D rate at approximately £341.13 for the year commencing 1st April 2026.

Table A: Additional spending capacity created in 2026/27

ITEM	SAVING
Towneley Hall Business Development Officer – this role needs to at least break even	(£50,000)
0.7% procurement efficiency on central budgets non-pay	(£52,000)
Deferral of £150k from Repairs & Maintenance budget to 2027/28	(£150,000)
Total additional spending capacity in 2026/27	£252,000

Details:

The Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer) has confirmed that the following are possible and realistic:

• The Business Development Officer post at Towneley Hall (already budgeted at £52k ongoing in Appendix 2) is welcome. However, the target of generating £12.5k starting from 2027 year doesn’t even cover the salary. The role, if filled by the right person, should be able to generate income of £100k per year. As recruitment is due to take place in year, this role should deliver £50k additional revenue in 2026/27, increasing to £100k in 2027/28.

• Extra procurement efficiency on Central Budgets non-pay (£7,255k line in Appendix 1) can save an additional £52k.

• £150k of the £300k Repairs & Maintenance budget (Appendix 2) can be deferred to 2027/28, consistent with the three-year phasing approach outlined in paragraph 20. Page 3 Agenda Item 5g

• The £252,000 total offsets the £168,000 needed to eliminate the proposed 1.99% rise (freeze at current Band D £344.58) plus the further £84,000 required to achieve a 1% reduction below that freeze level.

• This delivers a decrease from 2025/26, without compromising core services or the growth proposals in Appendix 2 (e.g. Streetscene initiatives, temporary gardeners, enforcement officers, Towneley officer role, etc.).

Outcome:

Council Tax is reduced by 1%.

• Council Tax Yield: £8,357k (adjusted for taxbase).

• Net Budget Requirement: Remains balanced at £22,429,000.

• No impact on pension-age claimants or national protections.

• All growth proposals (Appendix 2) and pension surplus saving (Appendix 3) fully preserved. This amendment is fully aligned with the S151 Officer’s confirmed possibilities and uses only levers already discussed and accepted as feasible.