Average Council Tax increase set at 2 pence a day

Sevenoaks District Council has agreed a budget for the coming financial year, which includes its share of the Council Tax charge set at an average of £153, an increase of £7.20 a year or an additional 2 pence a day.

From April 2006 to the end of March 2007, the Council is proposing to spend £16.8 million on services. Despite financial pressures outside its control, the Council will not reduce key front line services and has ensured that its Council Tax increase was kept to a minimum at 4.9%.

In common with most councils, Sevenoaks District Council was faced with a number of additional pressures. These included increased fuel costs for its refuse trucks and other vehicles, and alcohol and entertainment licensing.

Central Government increased its grant to the Council by 3%, which is in line with inflation. Allowing for this, the Council's projected shortfall for this financial year would have been £205,000.

To address this shortfall, the Council has made savings from its overheads and has continued to make further efficiency changes. According to the Government’s latest figures, the Council is one of the most efficient in the Country having made substantial savings over the past two years.

Had it not made these savings, front line services would have been reduced or Council Tax would have had to increase significantly.

Cllr Brian Ramsay, the Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for finance, says: "Set against a backdrop of financial pressures, most of which are out of our control, we have set a budget that protects our key front line services and further reduces our overheads. It includes additional resources for our priority areas of recycling, community development and the environment."

The Council’s budget of £16.8m for 2006/7 will be funded from the following areas:

Interest from Council savings £1.1m
Government grant £6m
Council Tax £7.5m
Money taken from the Council’s savings £2.2m

The budget for the coming year was agreed at yesterday's meeting of the Council (21 February 2006) when all 54 District Councillors had an opportunity to vote on the issue.

THE COUNCIL TAX BILL

The Council Tax bill is made up five components and each authority sets its own charge. Sevenoaks District Council collects its share of the Council Tax and the other authorities’ charge on their behalf.

The table below sets out each authorities charge at band D, the average Council tax bill.

Kent County Council – £918.72
Sevenoaks District Council – £153.00
Kent Police – £116.37
Kent Fire and Rescue Service – £59.40
Average town or parish council – £53.12 (see the town and parish charges list for a full break down of charges at band D)

Total £1,300.61