Council tax rise, Ainsdale Hope closure and higher parking charges planned

Ainsdale Hope Centre could be closed down in the coming months, along with an eye watering council tax rise and a hike in parking charges.

That’s the plan from Sefton Council as they set their budgets ahead of April 1st, 2023.

Council tax is likely to rise by 4.99%.

A ‘inflatory’ rise in parking charges will see the council get an extra £125,000 a year but support for highways maintenance could also be cut by up to 15%.

Closing the Ainsdale Hope building could go towards generating over £400k in savings.

The council say all measures would be drastic and could “impact on the services’ capacity to support front line services” – a risk the report states would “need to be managed.”

In a report accompanying the proposals, it is stated that Sefton alongside other councils “has been placed under extreme and unforeseen financial pressure that has been driven by inflation” with impacts on energy costs and key services alongside an increase in demand.”