By Shane Croucher
Southend residents will this year pay a 3.95% increase in Council Tax.
This rise was approved by Southend’s Conservative run council and will take effect in the 2010/11 budget, according to the Echo. Income from Council Tax accounts for around 15% of the council’s daily running costs.
The tax currently costs a band D property £1278.72, which will increase to £1329.23 with the 3.95% rise. The 2004/05 band D tax was £1065.51 – meaning 2010/11′s tax rates are a 24.75% rise on 04/05′s. The new rates are above inflation.
The council is trying to save £5.8million using job cuts and efficiency savings. Social care, local voluntary organisations, highway repairs and sea defences will all benefit from more money in next year’s budget.
However, cuts will be made in “cultural services” and “home-to-school transport”.
Councillor Nigel Holdcroft, Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: “While any increase in tax is clearly undesirable, the challenging economic conditions, the need to find substantial savings and at the same time invest in essential services means that an increase in Council Tax is unavoidable.”
Click here for more information on council tax in Southend.
Click here for more information on the 2010/11 council budget.
