Council tax rise unveiled
Tuesday 1st December 2009, 2:30PM GMT.
Council taxpayers in Telford and Wrekin are facing a 1.9 per cent increase in their bills next year – the lowest rise in more than 10 years.
The borough’s Conservative rulers claim that council tax bills in Telford and Wrekin are already the lowest in the Midlands.
They say that the proposed rise would mean an increase of just 31p per week for the average household.
The average property across the borough is Band B and in that band the council’s portion of council tax, excluding fire, parish and police precepts, was £834.55 for 2009/10.
Under the budget proposals for 2010/11 it would go up to £854.48.
The Conservative administration also claims that its suggested budget would protect frontline services while making almost £4.8 million in savings.
Spending is to be cut through planned “efficiencies and service reviews” to add to the £8.3 million the council said it had already saved since April 2007.
Pledge
Telford & Wrekin Council’s leader Councillor Andrew Eade said the budget continued the Tories’ pledge to drive down tax increases for the second year running.
Bills increased by 2.5 per cent last year.
The council is to put the proposed budget out for consultation until early February, before councillors set the budget on March 4 next year.
The budget would see the council invest more than £180 million in services over the next three years, including a massive borough-wide regeneration scheme.
Council spokesman Nigel Newman said savings would be made by finding new ways to deliver key services.
“To that end the council was undertaking reviews in areas such as transport, while on-going restructuring would further support that drive.Ê
Councillor Eade said: “In such a deep recession, it is only right that we provide even better value for money.
“Key to this is changing how we work, becoming more efficient and cutting out red tape at every opportunity.
“Looking ahead it seems clear that with the state of Government finances, the financial squeeze on this and other councils will only get tighter.”
By Simon Hardy
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this makes me feel so much better, only wish I could get a 1.9% increase in my pay too!
And the council still cant explain why I’m punished as a single person, having to pay 75% of the amount of council tax as the family of 6 that live next door to me is wrong.
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That’s all well and good but that’s not the whole story is it? Only a couple of weeks ago Shropshire Star was reporting that redundancies were about to be made at the Council. Therefore, a small rise in Council Tax so that the political message will be clear, “Look at the Conservative’s we can keep your taxes low”, but the people in Telford will be getting their services cut left, right and centre as people start losing their jobs and there is no one there to take the calls and provide the services. However, the Conservatives won’t be expecting the people of Telford to realise this.
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Again, if everyone paid their taxes it would be even lower. Name and shame, and tougher enforcement.
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Outrageous comment – one of the lowest so its ok to put the tax up…!
In todays struggle, make cuts to reduce it not justify an increase.
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The council tax could’ve been lower had every Cllr chosen not to take their increase in allowances.
However, the tories did promise the lowest council tax rise when they were voted in, but they also promised no redundancies.
They could blame the financial climate on redundancies, shame it never came into their minds when voting for or against, but ultimately accepting their extra allowance payments.
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But the police and fire service will still want their ‘precepts’, it is not 1.9% when they collect it.
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Quinny – as a single person do you use any less resources than a family of 6?
I think not.
I imagine your heating bills will be the same as the family next door.
If you need the emergency services if will cost the same as it does for a family of 6.
Your car causes the same wear and tear on a road as a family of 6.
You have the same rubbish collections as a family of 6.
And you can use council services just as much as a family of 6.
So why should you pay less council tax?
To be honest as a single person you SHOULD pay more tax.
None of your income is going towards supporting a family of 6.
When you are older and needing extra care and services the family of 6 will be providing children who may work in occupations which will care for you (a single person) in your old age.
So it would be fairer for yourself to pay more council tax, income tax etc than a family of 3, 4, 5 or even 6.
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