Three Rivers District Council budget protects front line services

Three Rivers District Council’s budget, passed last night, protects front-line services despite the financial pressure resulting from Government cuts.

Councillor Matthew Bedford, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Shared Services of the District Council, said:” We know that many residents find the Council Tax a financial burden, so we are pleased to be able to propose such a low increase.

“By making further savings the Council has managed to keep its part of the Council Tax rise to a minimum, while increasing services in key areas, which we know are important to residents. Residents will see an average increase of less than 10 pence per week for the Three Rivers part of their Council Tax bill.”

This means the average District Council’s element of the Council Tax bill for a Band D property is £163.90. The rise, coupled with efficiencies of over half-a-million pounds in the coming year, will enable current service levels to continue and to expand in key areas.

Councillor Bedford added: "The Council faces serious ongoing pressures on its finances. Revenue Support Grant from central Government will reduce from £3m a couple of years ago to zero by 2019. At the same time, the cost of providing for homeless families, a legal obligation on the council is forecast to increase dramatically.

"We have made millions of pounds of efficiency savings over recent years, in order to protect council services. Now we are planning more savings and new income so we can absorb the squeeze on our finances and at the same time maintain and expand services that residents expect and rely on.

"We are also proposing a small increase in Council Tax, on average less than 10p per week for a Band D property."