Authorities across the country would “give their right arm” to be in Bracknell Forest Council’s financial position, leader of the council Paul Bettison said as the council approved its budget plans on Wednesday (February 27) evening.

Bracknell residents will see a 2.99 per cent council tax increase as part of the proposals, which is expected to help Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) plug a £2.5 million funding gap.

Speaking at a meeting of the council, councillor Peter Heydon, the executive member for transformation and finance, said: “Overall the increase equates to 73 pence extra per week for a Band D council tax payer. This will raise £1.6m and allow the council to set a balanced budget - which we are legally obliged to do.

“This is not a proposal that comes naturally to a Conservative administration. However, we do believe it is the right thing to do for Bracknell Forest residents, in retaining all the valuable services we provide on their behalf. It is reassuring to note that our Labour councillor agrees.

“Even with this increase, Bracknell Forest residents will continue to pay one of the lowest tax levels of any unitary authority and, at the same time, benefit from some of the best services anywhere in the country. It is my strongly held view that by following our policies and values, this Conservative administration continues to provide excellent value for money for our residents and businesses.”

The council’s budget plans were outlined by senior members of the council in December 2018, with key proposals including £1m extra funding for schools in the borough, a £46,000 reduction in spending for the council’s special educational needs (SEN) team and the postponement of a £75,000 cut in funding for South Hill Park.

The council is planning to spend millions through its capital budget on developing Horseshoe Lake into a country park and will contribute £4.5 million to refurbishing Princess Square and developing The Deck as part of its latest regeneration plans.

Cllr Heydon said the plan for Horseshoe Lake means it “really does look set to be an exciting enhancement to our current parks and green spaces - which are already the envy of most local authorities”.

Talking about the latest regeneration plans, he added: “We have always recognised that there is more to do to complete the town’s transformation.

"We are committed to working with BRP – the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership - to ensure that the job is finished. This means refurbishing Princess Square, and constructing the Deck, to complete the figure of eight route around the existing and new areas.

“Our capital budget proposals add a further £4.5m to our town centre budget, which we will use as part of an arrangement with BRP that guarantees this work will happen in the near future.

“We should need to make no apology for investing in our town, for the benefit of our residents and businesses – i.e. protecting and enhancing our strong sense of community.

“In fact - we plan to do even more of this in future years. As a council, we own land and buildings in and around the town, which is suitable for development. We could simply sell this to developers, receive a one-off capital income receipt and see what plans are brought forward.

“However, we believe it is better to play a more active role in shaping future development.”

Cllr Heydon pointed out that the council only received eight responses to its budget consultation, and despite the low figure, this represented a 400 per cent increase from last years’ responses.

Labour councillor Mary Temperton said she had been out door knocking encouraging residents to give their thoughts on the budget plans, but she added: “I do not think many residents realise that between 2010 and 2020 the government has cut 60p out of every £1 it provided for services.”

Cllr Temperton said she did “fully support the need to raise council tax to support pressures in both adult services and children’s services”.

This came after she highlighted the council has needed to spend another £132,000 in adult social care and a further £80,000 to support looked after children due to increases in demand since the budget was initially outlined in December.

Opposition councillor Mrs Temperton declared her support for the council’s Heathlands project, investment in neighbourhood shopping areas, upgrades at The Look Out and additional funding for schools, adding she was “delighted that the proposed withdrawing of the final grant funding to support South Hill Park arts centre has been reversed for this financial year.”

However, the councillor added: “I oppose the cut of £46,000 in the special educational team. SEN is a real priority for our residents and our children need to be assessed and supported as soon as possible.”

But councillor Dr Gareth Barnard, executive member for children, young people and learning, hit back at Cllr Temperton’s worries over SEN funding, saying: “I stand by the changes we made in that budget because I believe by getting the right people doing the right job, and putting the children at the heart of what needs to happen, getting the plans in place and using the skills across the council, we can deliver what we need to do in a way that saves money but means we’re putting the right money in the right places for our children.”

Cllr Barnard also hailed £750,000 plans for a new youth centre at Braccan Walk, saying it will be a “fantastic place to deliver a wide range of services, and make it a fitting place for young people to gather and meet”, as well as telling councillors about plans to invest more than £700,000 to complete two schools mergers in the coming year.

He concluded by saying: “I stand by our budget. I am optimistic and passionate about what we can do in the future, because given our children and young people are at the heart of what we do, and we will continue, if re-elected in May, to make a difference and deliver the best we can for our children.”

Cllr Dale Birch said the authority’s financial plans represented “yet another sound and strong budget” but added that he was “shocked” that opposition councillor Mary Temperton was “not able to support its excellent proposals”.

Leader of the council, Cllr Paul Bettison, went further and said he “wasn’t shocked but disappointed” that Labour Cllr Temperton would not vote with the Conservative group.

He added: “I really am disappointed that anybody, from whichever political party or none, finds it impossible to support this budget. There are councils the length and breadth of this country that would give their right arm to be in the position of accepting a budget such as this.

“I and many others rather look forward to this evening because if this is not good news for the people of Bracknell Forest, I don’t know what is.”

After councillors concluded speaking, the Mayor, councillor Alvin Finch, called a vote on the budget.

All 34 Conservative councillors present voted for the financial plans, with Labour councillor Mary Temperton voting to abstain after telling members of the council she would not vote for the proposals because of the proposed SEN funding reduction and due to issues with the borough’s LED lighting investments.

Councillors met to discuss the budget at a meeting on Wednesday, February 27.