NEWS RELEASES
Cabinet recommends Council Tax level
20th February 2007
TO HELP pay for Horsham District Council duties and services in the year from April 2007 the District Council Cabinet has recommended that full Council, which meets on February 28, should approve that the council tax for a band D house should rise from £120.96 to £125.19 per year (equivalent to an increase of 35p per month).
This 3.5% increase in council tax will apply to all households in the District.
After the Cabinet meeting, Cllr Gordon Lindsay, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources at Horsham District Council, said:
"In producing this budget, we have had to make allowances for increases in our largest item of cost, staff salaries, which are agreed as part of a national deal.
"Against this we will begin to see cost savings through joint working with other West Sussex District Councils.
"Other costs which have increased significantly include electricity and fuel. To counter this, the Council is ensuring that fuel efficiency is a key feature of new buildings, for example the new Billingshurst swimming pool.
"On the income side, our second largest source of income (£6 million of Government grant) will increase by only 2% despite an expectation that costs controlled by Central Government will increase by at least 3%.
"This lower than inflation grant is likely to ensure that the Horsham District remains in the position of getting the fifth lowest Government grant per head out of all 238 District Councils in England.
"Against this difficult background Horsham District Council continues to deliver benefits to the local community – the new community and day care centre at the Horsham TA site, the Southwater village centre, the Steyning health centre and a start is being made on the new Billingshurst swimming pool.
"Horsham District Council will continue to work with other District Councils and invest in Information Technology to deliver further cost savings to minimise the level of council tax in the future."
Further information about the Council’s budget, including Council Tax issues, is available by calling 01403 215301 or email contact@horsham.gov.uk
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CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk