Freeze on Council Tax level

Date:  20 February 2008

Young people and pensioners are among those expected to benefit from the District Council budget announced on Tuesday 19 February.

An increase in key services with a zero percent rise in the District Council component of Council Tax for the coming financial year (2008/09) has been made possible in part by efficiency savings of £1,175,000.

The freeze on the District Council component of the Council Tax represents a reduction when inflation is taken into account.

Three Rivers District Council Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Richard Struck, said:

"The Council is in a very strong position financially and this budget is sustainable - which means stability and low increases in the coming years. Anti-social behaviour and health are two key areas which will see additional services in 2008."

The financial plan for 2008/09 includes a number of new initiatives including:

• Funding for a new community safety role to help reduce anti-social behaviour.
• A pilot for free gym sessions for secondary age school children, following a recommendation from the Youth Council.
• Continuation of free swimming for young people during the school holidays, including at the Woodside Pool when it re-opens.
• A feasibility study into opening the Council's customer service centre in the evenings and on Saturdays.
• Extra funding to enable the Gade View Gardens re-development to progress more quickly.
• Innovative play equipment for the over-50s to help increase mobility.

The District Council ran a survey recently in which 84% of respondents said that they would accept a 3% - 6% increase in Council Tax in order to keep services at either the current level or to increase them slightly.

2008/09 Council Tax levels by Valuation Band – for the District Council (including Special Expenses) and including Parish Precepts DOWNLOAD