Conservative led Rugby Borough Council has approved its budget for the financial year 2021-22.  Cllr Seb Lowe, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said, “While there is now the hope of an end to the pandemic later this year, the impact of Covid-19 has been significant and will be felt for some time." 

"Councillors from all parties have backed the council’s response to the pandemic. It was right to prioritise support for our most vulnerable residents such as our work to support the clinically extremely vulnerable and I am grateful in particular to the opposition group leaders for their agreement at key moments of our response."

“Nevertheless the pandemic has seen our costs increase and income decrease. Through prudent financial management we have sufficient reserves to protect the services that residents value over the next year, but we will continue to look to alternative sources of funding for future years."

 "Our priority will be to address the climate emergency, support economic recovery and improve health and wellbeing. We have committed through our new Corporate Strategy to work with our communities to do what’s right for Rugby."

A £5 per year increase in the basic average band D council tax will provide £235,000 of additional income to the Council. Savings and new income sources will cover £760,000 in a budgeted shortfall, but in a one-off move for 2021-22, £1.2million will be funded from reserves.

Photo: Cllr. Lowe, “As we transition from a response phase to recovery, we will be able to accelerate our work on a new vision for Rugby’s town centre, on environmental improvements and on closing the gap on health and wellbeing.”