1.99% TAX INCREASE
Town Council to limit the Council Tax increase to 1.99% next year, despite facing funding cuts and unavoidable increases in costs The Town Council has agreed its Revenue and Capital Budget and set the Precept and Council Tax increase for the 2017/18 financial year. Whilst in the short term, the Council’s finances remain in a healthy position, with savings continuing to be achieved and healthy levels of balances and reserves, the Council is facing an increasingly challenging future, and must ensure that it plans ahead for the difficulties that lie ahead. The Council is facing year on year cuts to the Council Tax Support Grant funding on which it is reliant, while it faces a number of significant spending pressures including pay awards and increases to the National Living Wage, pension contribution increases, and inflation on running costs. In order to maintain the many important services provided by the Town Council, and absorb the cuts to funding and increases in costs faced over the longer term, the Council needs to consider making a small increase in the Town Council Tax next year.
This decision has not been taken lightly, particularly in light of the on-going ‘cost of living’ difficulties we know are being faced by local residents, and following on from the four year freeze in council tax that the Town Council was proud to deliver between 2010 and 2013. However, by agreeing, in principle, to limit the proposed rise to 1.99% next year, the increase in the Town Council Tax Bill at Valuation Band A would be limited to less than £3 per year or 5p per week. This increase will ensure that all of the important services provided by the Town Council to the community of Great Aycliffe can be protected and maintained for at least another year, whilst maintaining some contingency funds to help the Council to offset some of the budget pressures faced in the longer term. Should you wish to read further information on the Council’s finances and the 2017/18 budget setting process you can view detailed information on the Finance Section of Council website via the following link http://www.great-aycliffe.gov.uk/info/council-and-democracy/finance/
Councillor Bob Fleming Chairman Policy & Resources
