News and press releases
South Tyneside Set To Deliver Another Low Council Tax
Press release
South Tyneside Cabinet has today (Wednesday 4th February) recommended that Council Tax should rise by 2.9% - the lowest in the Borough for 14 years and one of the lowest in the region.
This proposal is also below the current rate of inflation and, if agreed by full Council later this month, will mean an increase of just 45p per week for residents in Band A who pay the full council tax rate.
Council Leader, Councillor Iain Malcolm said: "We have worked very hard to keep the increase below 3% without damaging front-line services. I am very conscious that the people of South Tyneside are facing a hard time during the current recession, and achieving value for money in our services will be more important than ever.
This rate will be the lowest we have achieved for 14 years and continues our impressive record of reducing the level of increases year on year. These draft budget recommendations confirm that we continually work to deliver high quality services for local people and we will continue to focus our attention on the things that matter most to ensure that we support our families, our businesses and our communities through the months and years ahead."
Throughout the budget setting process the Council carried out wide ranging consultation with residents, community groups, schools and trade unions; special sessions were also held with residents from black and minority ethnic communities, disabled people and the Young People's Parliament. They were asked for their views on proposed spending plans and possible Council Tax increases.
Councillor Ed Malcolm Lead Member Resources said: "Consulting with our communities on the budget and Council Tax is hugely important to us. We genuinely wanted to hear their views, we listened carefully to what they had to say and as a result we focused our spending on the priorities that really matter to them.
"There was widespread support for keeping a Council Tax increase below the September 2008 inflation rate of 5%. We gave local people a choice when it came to some of the spending decisions and this draft budget recommendation takes their responses into consideration and reflects the Council's commitment to spending on those services that matter most to our residents."
The full Council will be asked to approve the Budget and Council Tax level for 2009/2010 at its meeting on 26th February.
Pres/r&r/fin/ct/abpr587ck
