2% District Council Tax Increase A Good Deal For Local Residents

12.44.56am GMT Thu 15th Feb 2007

The Liberal Democrat administration of Uttlesford District Council is planning a 2% increase in this year's Council Tax - half the size of the increase imposed by Conservative-controlled Essex County Council.

Uttlesford District Council's Liberal Democrat administration is to propose a 2% Council Tax increase at Thursday's council meeting. Conservative-controlled Essex County Council has put its part of the Council Tax up by 4.5%.

Council Leader Mark Gayler commented: "We have worked hard on this year's budget, so that we are able to keep the increase down. The original target of 4.5% would have left a surplus on the budget, and we have decided to split the surplus between keeping the Council Tax down and putting money into reserves to ensure the future financial stability of the Council."

The council's revenue reserves have gone down during 2006/7, as a result of some unexpected issues, such as changes in the Government's capital accounting regulations, and a reduction in planning fee income, due to a lower than expected number of planning applications than expected during the year.

Chair of the Operations Committee, Cllr Stephen Jones said: "It is important that as well as keeping this year's increase down we do make sure that the reserves are boosted so that we are not forced to put Council Tax up more than necessary in future years. At Thursday's council meeting we will be adopting a Medium Term Financial Strategy, which will show how the Council's finances shape up over the next few years. This shows how the Council will meet its financial targets, and ensure that there is a healthy level of reserves."

"Yet at the same time we are also improving local services - by for example opening our new UConnect customer service centre, and investing in new sustainable energy initiatives. The new waste collection system that has helped local residents to increase their recycling to over 50% is fully funded. We have also ensured that we have sufficient fighting funds to defend the district against over-development and a second runway at Stansted Airport."

"With the Liberal Democrats running Uttlesford you can be sure that we will work hard to deliver good quality services, and provide good value for the Council Tax you pay."

Under the Liberal Democrats, Uttlesford's Council Tax is the lowest of any district or borough council in Essex.