BABERGH KEEPS COUNCIL TAX INCREASE DOWN TO COST OF 2ND CLASS STAMP PER MONTH

Rigorous budgeting and another successful year of seeking out new savings has resulted in Babergh District Council achieving a below inflation Council Tax increase for the next financial year.

Babergh’s full Council today backed budget proposals which will see the Babergh part of the Tax for a Band D property increase from £122.68 to £126.24 – a weekly increase of less than 7 pence a week and a percentage increase of 2.9%. In doing so, the Council maintains its position as having the second lowest Council Tax of all the districts and boroughs in Suffolk.

When considered across the life of the present Council elected in May 2003, Babergh has achieved Council Tax increases of less than the cumulative rate of inflation – in line with its Financial Strategy “to do our best to keep our Council Tax increases to no more than the rate of inflation”.

Cllr. Nick Ridley, Chairman of Babergh’s Strategy Committee remarked that “what with all the competing pressures facing us during that time, including the failure by the Government to properly fund some of the new responsibilities given to councils, this is a tremendous record of responsible budgeting, careful stewardship and targeted service delivery with which we can be well pleased” concluded Nick Ridley.

“I’m hopeful that local residents will know that we have left no stone unturned in trying to minimise the increase in our part of next year’s Council Tax – including finding savings, efficiencies and additional income of over £370,000. When you consider both that  this increase amounts to less than the price of 2nd class stamp per month and that the total monthly amount of Council Tax (for a Band D property) is about £10 for all the services that we provide, such as refuse collection, street cleaning and planning, we believe Babergh is offering good value for money”.

Babergh accounts for only about 9% of the total Council Tax bill. With Suffolk County Council increasing its share by 4.5% and the Suffolk Police Authority by 4.95%, the average bill in Babergh is estimated to increase by about 4.5%.