A Council Tax level of 1.9%, which will help to protect essential services and invest in the borough's future prosperity, will be considered by all councillors on 23 February.
The recommendation was made at today's Cabinet meeting. Cllr Paul Farmer, Cabinet member responsible for Resources, said:
"We need to balance the demand for our services with the ability of residents to pay for them. St Edmundsbury was one of a handful of councils nationally last year that acted promptly at the depth of the recession by freezing Council Tax. Now we need to raise £298,000 more than last year to ensure we protect important services while continuing to invest in areas that benefit many people."
The rise would be the equivalent of a 6.3p a week rise for a band D property, and for a band B – the largest single group of households – it will be a rise of 4.9p a week.
Cllr John Griffiths, Leader of the Council said:
"We want to keep Council Tax rises as low as possible while making sure we have the funds to deliver the quality services our residents and businesses deserve. Having frozen Council Tax last year, we believe we will be able to deliver the lowest increase in the county again, thanks not least to the excellent way we have managed our resources."
Cllr Farmer added:
"The Audit Commission judges St Edmundsbury to be excellent for the way we manage our resources, putting us among the top ten best councils in the country for financial management. We work hard to maintain our reputation for excellence because that independent assessment confirms we are doing the very best for the borough's residents and businesses."
St Edmundsbury has saved £1.9 million from its budget over the past two years and is set to shave a further £2.2 million in the next two years. It is also looking to cut costs by sharing some services with neighbouring Forest Heath District Council. Savings include not replacing a Corporate Director and some other staff when they leave, improved purchasing, additional efficiency savings from moving into West Suffolk House and increased income generation.
Among the investments planned for the next financial year are:
- nearly £9 million on a range of projects, such as Haverhill Community Football scheme, public realm works in Bury and Haverhill town centres, disabled facilities' grants and home improvement grants for residents on low incomes, and grants to help improve village halls and play areas;
- opening of The Apex, providing a major boost to the area's cultural heritage;
- implementing an Economic Action Plan to encourage and promote local prosperity;
- developing masterplans to guide the future shape of our towns and rural areas.
Ends
Notes to editors:
- The proposed council tax increase of 1.9% is lower than the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) level of inflation (2.9%) and Retail Price Index (RPI) at 2.4%.
- St Edmundsbury's budget includes £6.7 million from Council Tax; £7 million from the main Government Settlement Grant; £29 million from other government grants; £8.2 million from earned income; and £2.6 million from property investments.
Contacts:
Cllr Paul Farmer, Portfolio holder for Resources, 01284 768777 email: paul.farmer@stedsbc.gov.uk
Issued by Marianne Hulland, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council. 01284 757034 or 07958 470501. marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk
