Hertsmere residents will pay more in council tax and parking from April after councillors backed a new budget for the borough this week.

The plans will see Hertsmere Borough Council launch a new cycle-hire scheme in Borehamwood, as the authority looks at new ways of generating income across the borough.

Councillor for finance Abhishek Sachdev (Conservative, Potters Bar Parkfield) described this year’s budget as “robust, investment-led and sustainable”, despite opposition groups claiming it showed a lack of ambition.

As part of the budget, residents will pay 2.9 per cent more council tax with a £5 increase, which will see those living in Band D properties pay an average £192 a year to the borough council.

Some parking charges will also rise, including 50p increases in Potters Bar, while parking in Bushey will now only be free for the first hour, rather than the first two. 

Allotment charges will also increase by £3 to £48 for half a plot and £5 to £75 for full plots, excluding VAT.

The council warned of a £1.07 million funding gap between the end of this financial year and 2026 if appropriate action isn't taken.

Cllr Sachdev said this gap would be made-up by the council generating new income, which has allowed the authority to avoid cutting services or introduce garden waste charges. 

The council is expected to generate £1.54 million a year more from Elstree Film Studios this year, as well as £95,000 from renting office space to Hertfordshire Police.

The council will also spend £3.5 million on capital projects next year as part of the four year investment plan for the borough.

New capital projects to be funded by the council include £220,000 on the facade of the Maxwell Building at Elstree Film Studios, as well as £250,000 towards a new public cycle hire scheme in Borehamwood.

The council will also spend £1.835 million on replacement of the Street Scene fleet over the next two years, and £590,000 on an extension to Allum Lane Cemetery.

Labour group leader Cllr Jeremy Newmark (Borehamwood Cowley Hill) criticised the decision to raise council tax, saying residents “pay more and get less” from the authority.

Cllr Newmark suggested improvements to the borough council’s housing development company, a further expansion of Elstree Film Studios onto a second campus and reducing councillors’ expenses to the basic allowance.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jerry Evans (Bushey North) said the budget was functional but displayed “zero ambition”, especially in relation to climate change.

The revenue budget passed by 29-7, with the capital budget passing with unanimous support from councillors.