Second council tax freeze
CRAWLEY residents will enjoy the lowest council tax rises in Sussex over four years if councillors agree a second consecutive freeze.
Crawley Borough Council leader Bob Lanzer made the announcement after the Government offered local authorities money to pay for the equivalent of a 2.5 per cent freeze.
Cllr Lanzer said borough finances were in excellent shape with more than £10 million of capital expenditure available in the year ahead.
The money will go towards schemes and improvements like Mill Pond, residential parking, community facilities in Ifield, the Disabled Facilities Grants Programme, the 3G pitch in Broadfield, K2 Crawley, The Hawth and more.’
Cllr Bob Lanzer said: “Historically we have seen low council tax rises in Crawley and this year is no exception.
“The past year has been tough for many people and I hope this proposed freeze goes some way to helping those who are struggling financially.”
The Cabinet are set to agree the freeze at the council’s budget meeting on Wednesday February 8 and the decision will go before the full council on Wednesday February 29.
A total of £793,000 of savings have been identified in the next financial year as well as £90,000 of additional revenue expenditure on flood alleviation and streetscene maintenance.
The council will also pay back its housing debt of £261.383m on March 28 and in return manage its own housing account.
The interest on this debt will be significantly lower than the £16m paid to the Government under the current scheme.
The Government currently subsidises social housing spending but if rental income exceeds this money the council has to pay back the difference.
The new scheme will enable the council to increase its investment in housing over the coming years, said Cllr Lanzer.
Cllr Brenda Smith, leader of the Crawley Labour group, said: “We welcome any way of helping hard working families struggling to cope with the financial pressures of pay freezes, hiked train prices, higher food prices, increased utility bills and the soaring cost of fuel price.
“But this isn’t a gift from the Conservatives at Crawley Borough Council, inflation is still far too high and in the next few years council tax increases in Crawley and across the country will have to play catch up. It’s one reason many councils have refused the council tax freeze otherwise their council tax bills will have to rise dramatically in the near future. We’re stalling the inevitable in Crawley and our Tory administration know that the impact in future years will be much greater and far more devastating to our local services.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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