Mayor proposes to freeze council tax precept

A council tax precept that trebled last year to fund a county's bus services is set to be frozen.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) has proposed keeping its contribution of council tax at £36 a year for Band D householders.

It had previously suggested a 4.99% rise to raise £560,000 but said it had recently received additional funding to go towards bus services.

According to Local Democracy Reporting Service Nik Johnson, the combined authority mayor, said: "I think that's great value for money."

A CPCA board meeting will take place on 22 January to decide on the budget proposals.

The mayoral precept was introduced to Cambridgeshire taxpayers in 2023 and a year later trebled from £12 a year to £36 for Band D residents.

The combined authority recently received bus service improvement programme (BSIP) funding, including £3.4m revenue and £6.6m capital injection, allowing it to invest in services without placing an additional financial burden on residents.

CPCA's 2025 budget proposals suggest using the BSIP funding to pay for an extension of the £2 bus fare cap beyond 31 March.

Mr Johnson said: "I'm proud of what we're achieving and I'm looking forward to next week's board meeting where we're going to have all the chance to discuss about this action and what we intend to deliver for you, the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough."

The CPCA board will be asked to approve a two per cent increase in the transport levy for 2025, totalling £14m, with a £3.7m contribution from Peterborough City Council.

The mayor also intends to to allocate highways maintenance grants totalling £37.3m to Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, with the latter receiving a £7.5m share.

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