GOOD NEWS FOR SOUTH BEDFORDSHIRE RESIDENTS AS EXECUTIVE PROPOSE BELOW INFLATION COUNCIL TAX INCREASE

South Bedfordshire District Council’s Executive Committee has proposed a budget for 2007/08, which would see its share of the council tax increase by less than three per cent this year.

If approved by the full Council in February, it is expected to be among the lowest council tax rise among local authorities in England. This means the average Band D household in South Bedfordshire would pay just £153.99 towards District Council services, a rise of only £4.47 from last year or less than nine pence a week.

The proposed rise is below the expected average increase for district councils in England this year (based on a recent survey by the Local Government Association), is less than the current national rate of inflation, and is a significant reduction compared to last year.

Councillor Philip Penman, Executive Portfolio Holder for Resource Management said this was made possible due to prudent budgeting and efficiency savings achieved throughout the year, while at the same time ensuring council services were both improved and expanded in areas of priority.

“In setting the budget we have decided it is not appropriate to increase either car park or local land charges this year. We also have some exciting improvements planned for the district including investing more in CCTV to ensure a safer district, supporting Women’s Aid and Domestic Violence refuges, investing in housing and improving customer service.

“Through greater efficiency and good husbandry of our resources we can deliver both service enhancements and cost reductions.”

The District Council will receive approximately ten per cent of the total council tax received from householders in 2007/08, with the remainder distributed to Bedfordshire County Council, Police, Fire Authority and Town and Parish Councils.

The full Council will meet on 27 February 2007 to consider the 2007/08 budget.

Ends

Press release issued: January 31 2007