Published on 23 February 2023
High Peak Borough Council has set its budget for providing essential services at £12.5m for the coming year - and agreed to provide more support with council tax to households on the lowest incomes.
A Council Tax increase of £5.96 (2.90%) has also been agreed - setting Band D payments at £211.36 for 2023/24. As more than 70% of High Peak residents live in properties in Bands A, B or C, the average increase will be less than £5.96.
The Council has also announced changes to its council tax reduction scheme. As well as supporting those on the lowest incomes, these changes will:
· make it easier for working age applicants to apply
· maintain current levels of support for other households
Pension age applicants are not affected by these changes as the support they receive is prescribed by the Government.
Executive Councillor for Finance and Corporate Services, Alan Barrow, said: "The rising costs of living continue to affect us all and, when setting our budget for the coming year, we were very mindful of the impact of any further increases on our residents.
"Communities and businesses in the High Peak have a right to high quality public services that they can rely on - but these services do need to be paid for. At the same time, we're also acutely aware of not adding unduly to the budget pressures people are experiencing.
"That's why we have kept the council tax increase to a minimum and extended the support available to people on the lowest incomes.
"We will, of course, continue to constantly seek ways of delivering our essential services at value for money costs and ensure we are using all of our resources to best effect."
The Borough Council collects Council Tax on behalf of the County Council, Police and Fire Authorities and town and parish councils but only spends 10% of the total.
The funding is used to provide Council services including affordable housing, waste and recycling, street cleaning, leisure centres, parks and playgrounds development and maintenance, support for local businesses, crime prevention activities, benefits services and elections.
There's more information about Council Tax on our website where residents can also sign up for a 'My Council Tax' account online enabling them to:
· View information at any time
· change their method of payment
· report a change of address or ownership
· apply for single persons discount
· help save paper and reduce costs by signing up for electronic bills and notifications
