'Great Value for Money' Council Tax
Friday, 14th February 2003.
COUNCIL TAX bills from St Edmundsbury Borough Council look set to go up by almost 10 per cent in April.
Members of the council's Cabinet agreed to recommend to the full council a 9.9 per cent increase, compared to 14.9 per cent last year, taking the cost for a Band D property to £141.12.
The full council will meet on February 28 to consider the rise.
St Edmundsbury, which covers Haverhill, receives only 12 per cent of the total Council Tax bill, with Suffolk County Council and the Police Authority taking most of the rest.
Council leader Ray Nowak pointed out that Band D property owners were paying just £2.71 a week for all their council services.
"I don't think people realise what astounding value for money their local services are now, and will continue to be," he said.
"St Edmundsbury provides a huge range of top-quality services – and all of this for less than the cost of a glossy magazine.
"I am delighted that our careful budgeting means we can keep the Council Tax rise to a minimum and yet still do our very best for those who live and work in the borough."
Major plans for the next three years as part of the council's capital programme include improvements to Haverhill Leisure Centre, investment in football facilities for the town, continued funding of the Haverhill Multi-Arts Project and a grant towards new premises for the Volunteer Centre.
Haverhill councillor Gerry Kiernan, who is cabinet member for resources, said he believed the budget would deliver a wide range of benefits.
He said: "This is an exciting but realistic and financially viable programme for St Edmundsbury, with the needs of everyone in our community being taken into account.
"We pride ourselves on being innovative and forward-looking, while at the same time making sure that the basic services are not forgotten
Members of the council's Cabinet agreed to recommend to the full council a 9.9 per cent increase, compared to 14.9 per cent last year, taking the cost for a Band D property to £141.12.
The full council will meet on February 28 to consider the rise.
St Edmundsbury, which covers Haverhill, receives only 12 per cent of the total Council Tax bill, with Suffolk County Council and the Police Authority taking most of the rest.
Council leader Ray Nowak pointed out that Band D property owners were paying just £2.71 a week for all their council services.
"I don't think people realise what astounding value for money their local services are now, and will continue to be," he said.
"St Edmundsbury provides a huge range of top-quality services – and all of this for less than the cost of a glossy magazine.
"I am delighted that our careful budgeting means we can keep the Council Tax rise to a minimum and yet still do our very best for those who live and work in the borough."
Major plans for the next three years as part of the council's capital programme include improvements to Haverhill Leisure Centre, investment in football facilities for the town, continued funding of the Haverhill Multi-Arts Project and a grant towards new premises for the Volunteer Centre.
Haverhill councillor Gerry Kiernan, who is cabinet member for resources, said he believed the budget would deliver a wide range of benefits.
He said: "This is an exciting but realistic and financially viable programme for St Edmundsbury, with the needs of everyone in our community being taken into account.
"We pride ourselves on being innovative and forward-looking, while at the same time making sure that the basic services are not forgotten
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