Councillors say tax rise will 'protect services'
LDRSCouncillors have approved a tax rise of 4.99%.
The Liberal Democrat-led Westmorland and Furness Council said the move would "protect frontline services in tough financial times".
Labour councillors joined Liberal Democrats to vote in favour, while Conservatives voted against the proposals.
The authority hopes to raise £184.52m through the council tax rise, which will result in a band D tax of £1,918.97 - an increase of £91.71 on the previous year.
The increase, from 1 April, consists of a 2.99% general increase and a further 2% ringfenced to pay for adult social care.
A public consultation on the proposals found 69.3% of 353 respondents were against the general increase of 2.99%.
'Completely disregarded'
Deputy leader councillor Andrew Jarvis told the council chamber he recognised the increase would be "difficult" for many residents, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
He added: "I recognise the majority of those who responded to the consultation were against this scale of increase.
"However, we must ensure that the financial position of this council is sustainable.
"Cuts invariably hit the most vulnerable residents hardest, so...I can confirm this means we will maintain all our frontline services.
"There are no cuts to services."
Conservative group leader councillor Hilary Carrick said while respondents to the consultation accepted increases to fees and charges broadly in line with inflation, they were "overwhelmingly opposed to other increases".
"Largely because of a combination of the enduring impact of the cost of living crisis and their view that the quality of services needs to improve, and the council should spend money more wisely," he said.
"Disappointingly it has completely disregarded the feedback offered and stuck doggedly to its original proposal, on the basis that the increases were necessary to ensure the continued delivery of council services.
"This makes a complete mockery of the consultation process and also the claim that this council places its customers at the heart of everything it does."