Travel scheme tops Wealden’s spending plans
Wealden District Council’s Cabinet has proposed a 4.5 per cent Council Tax rise to help fund a number of service improvements including helping to provide free bus travel for the over 60s and disabled people.
“We are already implementing a very tight spending policy in line with our three year finance policy. This increase, the equivalent of an extra £6.49 a year to the average Band D Council Tax payment for Wealden, will meet the needs of inflation and help provide free bus travel for the over 60s and disabled people,” explained Councillor David Logan, Cabinet member for Finance & Assets.
“It will also enable the Council to better serve Wealden residents through a number of consultation and research projects including part-funding a study into the restoration of the Uckfield – Lewes rail link.”
The proposed rise would see the average Band D Council Tax contribution to Wealden District Council increase to £150.73 a year. The proposal will now go out for consultation to representatives of local businesses, parish and town councils, the Local Strategic Partnership and the Council’s own scrutiny committees before being further discussed by Cabinet at its February meeting.
“We are well aware that members of the public find any increase in Council Tax unwelcome, particularly when they may be on a fixed income. We have kept to our Medium Term Financial Strategy, which outlined consistent increases of 4.5 per cent,” said Councillor Logan. “While it may appear tempting to set much lower rates of increase, these will inevitably lead to major gaps in funding in a couple of year’s time. The net result would be a much larger Council Tax increase or a failure to provide a minimum statutory service.”
“This budget sees us building on last’s year service improvements, which included the expansion of kerb-side plastic recycling to all CROWN areas. At the same time we are identifying key projects like the accommodation strategy which, by creating one headquarters location for the council, will result in longer term savings,” he said.
Wealden District Council also collects Council Tax on behalf of East Sussex County Council , the police and fire authorities and the local parish or town council. Last year money for Wealden’s services accounted for less than 11 per cent of resident’s total Council Tax bill.
Wealden District Council would like to hear your views on the proposed Council Tax rate. Please write to ;
Chief Finance Officer,
2006-07 Budget Consultation,
Wealden District Council,
Vicarage Lane,
Hailsham BN27 2AX or email: finance@wealden.gov.uk
