Borough Council budget gives climate a boost 

Part of the allocation will allow the council to appoint a climate officer who will lead on the borough’s approach to carbon reduction and adaptation to the effects of climate change.
 
There will be a further investment of £50,000 into a Rugby health partnership to promote health facilities in Rugby, conditional on partners also allocating funding.
 
Councillors also agreed a 2.99 per cent increase to Rugby Borough Council’s share of council tax.
 
Rugby Borough Council keeps just 7p from every pound of council tax collected to deliver core services.  
 
Around 76p goes to Warwickshire County Council for services such as highways, schools and social care, and around 13p goes to Warwickshire Police. The remainder goes to parish councils which charge a precept, or to the Rugby Borough Council Town Area special expense. 
 
The charge for a green garden waste collection will rise for the first time since an opt-in service was introduced in 2017. The budget meeting heard that inflation in some parts of the service has been 200 per cent over the seven years since, with no increase in charge. The new charge will be £45 per bin with future increases linked to inflation.
 
Cllr Derek Poole, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “With a reduced core grant and increasing demand for the council’s services we have nevertheless managed to maintain all of our services and allocate funding to deliver our corporate strategy aims of supporting the economy, tackling climate change and improving health and wellbeing.
 
“I am pleased we have been able to reach a consensus in the best interests of our residents to approve a balanced and sustainable budget for 2024-25.”
 
Cllr Jerry Roodhouse, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Rugby Borough Council, said: “As always budgets are difficult to resolve, especially with Government reducing funding for local councils.
 
"It is also a challenging year.
 
"With Rugby Borough Council in no overall control we have stood up to that task and brokered the best deal for local residents in these challenging times."
 
The actual council tax rates to be paid by an average band D property in 2024-25 will be: 
• Warwickshire County Council: £1,736.19 
• Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner: £289.71 
• Rugby Borough Council: £165.40 
Plus either: 
• Rugby Town Area: £89.68 
• Parish Area (average): £63.94
 
More information on council tax charges, including details for specific parishes, will be published at www.rugby.gov.uk/counciltax. Council tax bills will be issued by early March.