Residents are being asked for feedback on the draft budget that would continue to see council tax rates frozen has been published by Fenland District Council. 

Residents are being asked to have their say on the authority’s draft budget, which freezes the FDC’s portion of the Council Tax for the fifth consecutive year, and Business Plan, which sets out ‘Council for the Future’, ‘Quality Organisation’, ‘Communities’, ‘Environment’ and ‘Economy’ as priorities for the coming year. 

Leader of Fenland District Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Cllr Chris Boden, said the council’s priorities remain “continuing to make Fenland a fantastic place to live and work” in the coming year despite the cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation. 

He says they believe the burden on Fenland residents can be reduced by freezing the council’s portion of the council tax for another year. 

He said: “We urge people to look through our draft budget and Business Plan to help us shape those and make them the best they can be. 

“We’ve already done some important work in recent years to ensure Council services are fit for the future and moving with the times by making more of our services available in the variety of ways people now expect – online as well as in person. 

“That’s something we plan to continue building on as well as continuing to deliver the top-quality core services that our residents expect.”   

The FDC says they receive around 12 per cent of the total bill while the rest goes to county and parish councils and police and fire authorities.  

The consultation is open from now to Friday, February 3.  

To view the draft budget and business plan and take part in the consultation, visit: https://www.fenland.gov.uk/yourviews2023 

Paper copies of the documents and consultation will also be available to view, without an appointment, at the Council’s Customer Services Centres at: 

South Fens Business Centre, Fenton Way, Chatteris PE16 6TT 

Fenland Hall, County Road, March PE15 8NQ 

The Boathouse Business Centre, 1 Harbour Square, Nene Parade, Wisbech PE13 3BH