A CALL has gone out for people to question council bosses on next year’s budget as council tax is set to rise.

Cllr Noordad Aziz, chairman of Hyndburn’s resources overview and scrutiny committee, has invited borough residents to take part in the council’s budget consultation meeting.

The meeting takes place in the QE Room at Scaitcliffe House, Accrington on Tuesday 18thFebruary 2020, starting at 3pm.

Cllr Aziz said: “This is an opportunity for our residents and businesses to hear about the Council’s budget issues and to quiz us about the budget for next year.”

The leader of the council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, will attend the meeting to answer questions about the budget. He urged people to come along, saying; “Your comments and views are important to the council and we take them into account when reaching a final decision about what you will pay in council tax.

“This meeting will give residents the opportunity to hear about the proposals for Hyndburn’s portion of the council tax for 2020/21, and to tell us how you would like your council tax to be spent.”

Proposals for next year include a £5 rise in council tax for band D homes and the council has to find £116,000 in savings in order to balance the budget.

Portfolio holder for resources, Cllr Joyce Plummer, said: " Cabinet proposes to council an increase council tax for 2020/21 of £5 per year for a band D property.

"This is equivalent to less than 10 pence per week and as most households in Hyndburn are band A rather than band D properties, the vast majority of households will only see a rise of 7p per week.

"This is only the fourth increase in council tax by Hyndburn Council in 11 years."

Anyone interested in speaking at the scrutiny meeting should contact the scrutiny office on (01254) 388111 or email michael.cunliffe@hyndburnbc.gov.uk no later than 5pm on Friday.