2009 Council Tax increase lowest for a decade

Cabinet proposes lowest council tax increase for a decade

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cabinet has recommended the district’s lowest council tax increase for 10 years.
At a meeting of the cabinet on 13 January, councillors approved a budget for 2009/10 that will see a council tax increase of two per cent. This means people living in a Band D property will pay £128.57 this year for district council services, an increase of £2.53 or some five pence per week.
The recommendation, which runs below the current rate of inflation, will ease the burden on residents affected by the economic downturn.
The district council faces some tough decisions this year as a result of the credit crunch and world wide recession – with reduced income in many areas, lower interest on investments, and rising energy and fuel costs.
In response, the cabinet’s proposed budget for the next financial year includes £1.7 million in efficiency savings, minimising wherever possible any impact on front-line services. Substantial savings will be made on salaries through a series of restructuring plans, retirements and not filling existing vacant posts.