Date: 07/03/2007
High Peak Borough Council has agreed to a below average council tax rise of 3.2 per cent.
This is less than last year's 3.4 per cent rise, and well below the retail price index of 4.2 per cent.
Most of the council tax bill for High Peak residents go to the County Council, the Police and Fire authorities, with Borough Council services getting an average of just £129 per year " that"s an average increase of just 4p per week.
The next 12 months' budget will enable an investment programme of more than £5 million, including funds set aside to:
Councillor David Lomax, Leader of High Peak Borough Council, said: "We are pleased to announce this year"s increase, which is the lowest yet. At just 3.2 per cent, this means this year"s council tax has reduced in real terms, so we are actually offering local residents more for less.
"We have also identified efficiency savings and are expected to deliver cumulative savings of £1,777,000 by 2009-2010. This is an average saving of £18.70 per year for each High Peak council taxpayer.
Councillor John Faulkner, Executive Member for Corporate Services, said: "Residents continue to tell us what they would like to see improved in the Borough, and we have been listening and included these priorities in this year"s budget. This means we will be able to improve our services even further by increasing our recycling efforts across the whole of the High Peak, improving the leisure facilities in Buxton, investing in affordable housing, and making sure our streets are clean and safe and an enjoyable place for people to live and work in."
For further enquiries about council tax, please call 0845 129 4858, or email: counciltax@highpeak.gov.uk.