Go-Ahead For Lowest Council Tax Rise for 15 Years

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Go-Ahead For Lowest Council Tax Rise for 15 Years

Cotswold District Council has approved its lowest Council Tax increase for 15 years, recognising the need to keep costs down in the current harsh economic climate.

At a 25th February meeting, members of Cotswold District Council accepted the Cabinet�s recommended Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget Strategy for 2010-11.

The Strategy is underpinned by a 2.3% rise in Council Tax, the lowest increase since 1995, which matches the rise at County Council level.

Commenting on the Council Tax increase, Leader of the Council Lynden Stowe said: "We have set a very pragmatic and prudent budget, and I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to deliver the strategy. This small increase in Council Tax means that the average Band D payer only has to find an additional 6p a week compared to last year."

During the budget debate, Councillor Stowe outlined some of the Council�s spending priorities, including:
* Investing �1.1 million in specialised vehicles to deliver even more efficient waste services with the potential for plastic bottle recycling subject to successful local trials and a convincing business case.
* Setting aside �500,000 as part funding for flood resilience projects.
* Maintaining an annual �500,000 capital expenditure to help disabled remain in their own homes (hence saving on wider costs for caring)
* Investing �100,000 to provide grants for building and capital works at community and village halls, and to enhance local play facilities
* Allocating a further �54,000 towards developing a �watertight� policy in the local Development Framework to allow sensible development of homes and business

He added: "These priorities are in line with what residents have told us they want to see. They have also praised our ongoing �back office� cost cutting, which should deliver efficiencies worth �1.45 million over a five year period. We will continue to streamline management functions and look for more opportunities to share work with other councils, while maintaining our frontline customer services."


Posted : 25/02/2010 17:01:51

PLEASE NOTE: This story has been archived and the information contained within it may no longer be correct.


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