Date: 16/01/2007
A below average council tax rise of 3.2 per cent is to be recommended at High Peak Borough Council"s Corporate Select Committee meeting next week, followed by a recommendation to the Executive on Wednesday, February 07, 2007.
This year's 3.2 per cent recommended increase is well below the retail price index of 4.4 per cent, and compares favourably with the 3.4 per cent rise for last year.
The Council has been committed to cut council tax rises to the rate of inflation, over the past three years.
This will mean an average council tax bill of £129 for Borough Council services, or an average increase of just 4p per week, if the proposed increase goes ahead.
Most of the council tax collected from High Peak residents go to the County Council, the Police and Fire authorities.
The Council has identified efficiency savings and expect to deliver cumulative savings of £1,777,000 by 2009-2010 - saving an average of £18.70 per year for each council tax payer.
We have achieved this council tax reduction by driving efficiencies and reducing costs, while still improving services, which include:
The next 12 months' budget will enable an investment programme of over £5million, including funds set aside to:
Councillor David Lomax, Leader of High Peak Borough Council, said: "We will continue to prioritise what"s important for local people, such as delivering value for money services, making sure our streets are clean and safe, and improving the local environment.
"Over the last three years, the Council has promised to reduce council tax increases, and also worked hard to make our operation more cost-effective, in order to provide more for less. We aim to build on our reputation of being an "Excellent" council and continue to improve our services for the High Peak community."