Council Tax set to rise by less than 12p per week on average as leaders told to self-finance
Published: Tuesday, 15 January, 2019
A council tax rise of less than 12p per week is set to be considered by Stroud District Council.
An average Band D household in the Stroud district would pay £207.52 per year for the services provided by Stroud District Council in 2019/20 if it is approved, a report to Strategy and Resources Committee says.
On Thursday, January 17 the committee will consider the report which asks members to recommend a rise of 2.99 per cent for Stroud District Council’s share of the bill, for full council approval next month.
Councillor Doina Cornell, leader of Stroud District Council said:
"Government expects the council to finance itself almost solely from council tax and business rates and has stopped all our grant, so this small rise in tax will help the council keep finances in the black and continue to provide vital services that local residents and businesses tell us they most value."
Stroud District Council provides a wide range of services including waste and recycling which is rated as the best in the south west, planning services, environmental health, parking, parks and recreation, Selsley Common upkeep, two leisure centres, a museum, sheltered housing, 5,000 council homes, canal restoration, animal welfare, benefits administration and advice, elections, youth work and licensing and flood management.
Funding for the council in future years is currently uncertain with changes expected to a number of funding schemes including retained business rates and the New Homes Bonus. These changes will be the result of wider reviews being carried out by central government of the funding of local government.
Stroud District Council Green group leader Martin Whiteside said:
"A fair increase in council tax is needed in the face of central government-imposed austerity, which is hitting the poorest members of our society hardest. We will run our own services as cost-effectively as possible and work in partnerships to continue to deliver good local services for everyone."
Stroud District Council and the area it covers were rated well above the national average and its Corporate Delivery Plan focuses on five key areas - economy, affordable housing, environment, health and wellbeing, and value for money.
Ken Tucker, Liberal Democrat group leader:
"Nobody likes paying more for services, but our direct costs are increasing and with the austerity imposed by the Government, our hands are tied unless we reduce services and residents have told us they don’t want that."
Gloucestershire County Council, the Police & Crime Commissioner, and parish and town councils, set their own council tax precepts, and Stroud District Council is the collection authority.