Uttlesford DC’s proposed budget including an £716,000 community funding
Uttlesford District Council will make good on its pledge to support residents through the current financial crisis by continuing to invest in key local services.
The Council’s proposed budget for 2013/14 includes £716,000 of extra funding for services which will bring direct benefits to the community.
Coupled with its plans to reduce council tax by 1 per cent - most local authorities in Essex are increasing it – the budget proposals show how stable Uttlesford’s position is despite the austere times.
Prudent management of its finances in recent years has put the Council in a far healthier position than many others.
Uttlesford already boasts the lowest council tax in Essex and is among the lowest in the country.
Details of the budget include:
•£150,000 of extra funding to support the vital work being carried out by the local voluntary organisations
•a £70,000 boost to economic development initiatives including an increase in discretionary business rate relief to help business start-ups £40,000 of extra resources for planning enforcement
•a further £31,000 towards bringing empty homes back into habitable use £28,000 in extra funding to tackle the district’s homelessness issues and £23,000 more for street cleaning
The Council’s total proposed revenue budget for 2013/14 is £32.1m, of which £4.6m will be funded from council tax.
Reducing the council tax by 1 per cent will mean Band D residents pay £145.95p-a-year.
Cllr Robert Chambers, cabinet member for finance and administration, said: “At a time when most other local authorities are cutting front line services and increasing Council Tax it is extremely pleasing to be able to propose a budget like this one.
“Our careful management of the council’s funds over recent years has put us in a position where we are able to support our local economy rather than increase the financial burdens on it.
“Nationally the adverse financial circumstances are not likely to improve significantly for several years to come.
“However, we are better placed than many local authorities to cope with the challenges all organisations – whether they are in the public or private sector – are currently facing.
“Uttlesford is a low tax, high quality council and we will do everything we can to ensure that it remains so.”
The budget will go to cabinet on Tuesday, February 19 and then full council for approval on Thursday, February 28.
Full details of the budget proposals can be viewed at www.uttlesford.gov.uk/budget.
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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