COPELAND'S borough councillors have failed to pass mayor Mike Starkie's budget.

In an online special council meeting this evening, which lasted for more than four hours, they voted against the proposals, which included a 1.95 per cent increase in council tax, by 17 votes to 15.

In the meeting councillor Starkie said: "Today I set out to present my sixth budget to the council, it is also a period of reflection over the challenges we faced and the challenges that we have go ahead.

"This budget has been in a different kind of context, it has been set in the Covid year which has presented a whole rane of challenges in itself." 

They had met to consider the Revenue Budget 2021/22, Medium Term Financial Strategy (2021 - 2023), 2021/22 Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Programme (2021 - 2026).

After the vote the meeting was adjourned and will reconvene in the near future where amendments will be considered.