A below-inflation Council Tax rise of 2.9%, which equals 9p a week for a band-D household, will be considered by St Edmundsbury’s Cabinet at a meeting next week.
The proposed rise is the lowest since 1995/96 and amounts to £4.68 a year for a band-D payer. The Cabinet will consider the increase at a meeting on Wednesday (14 February) before making a recommendation to full council.
Cllr John Griffiths, Council Leader, said:
“St Edmundsbury is an ambitious council for its residents and is delivering on its commitments while also bringing a multi-purpose venue to Bury St Edmunds, car parks and affordable housing throughout the borough and a multiplex cinema to Haverhill, amongst many other things. To do this while still delivering a below-inflation Council Tax increase is a significant achievement and shows how seriously we take our responsibility to our taxpayers.
“We have kept our promise to reduce Council Tax rises year-on-year through prudent budgeting and finding innovative ways to reduce costs without compromising our services. We will continue to look carefully at everything we do to identify even more savings which can be passed on to our Council Tax payers.”
Full council will take the final decision on the Council Tax level for 2007/08 on 27 February. If approved, St Edmundsbury's share of the overall Council Tax would be £166.32 for a band-D taxpayer. The remaining 88% will go to parish/ town councils, Suffolk County Council and the police.
ENDS
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
