Council Tax for the District of Purbeck
set
At the Council Meeting of Purbeck District Council on
Tuesday 24 February 2009, Members agreed a 4.25% rise for the
district’s share of the council tax.
Taking into account the tax increases for
Dorset County Council, the Police Authority, the Fire and Rescue
Authority and the average for the towns and parishes, the overall
increase for Purbeck council tax payers is 4.3%.
Around 10% of the tax paid by council tax
payers in Purbeck goes to Purbeck District Council; the rest is
allocated to Dorset County Council, the Police Authority and the
Fire & Rescue Authority. The Council was able to reach this
increase by making efficiency savings of £224,000 and further
savings in excess of £100,000.
Councillor Gary Suttle, Leader of the Council
said: “The recession has made this year’s budget setting a
difficult process. It has affected the Council in two ways:
firstly by reducing the income it receives from fees and interest
and, secondly, by causing an increase in demand for council
services. We have been able to make
significant savings in the budget to keep the council tax as low as
possible, whilst ensuring that our frontline services can respond
to the increased demands placed upon them.
“It is disappointing that Central Government
has again set our main grant increase for the next two years at
only 0.5% (or £16,500). Although this gives us some
certainty, the Council will continue to improve efficiency to find
further savings to meet our future budgets.”
Ends
Contact: Steve Mackenzie, Chief Executive
on 01929 557233.
Link: For information on Council Tax
visit the Finance
section of the website.