Redditch Council Tax frozen for another year (From Redditch Advertiser)

Redditch Council Tax frozen for another year

3:10pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News

REDDITCH Council has agreed a financial package that freezes council tax for another year

The council rubber-stamped a recommendation from its Executive Committee for a Medium Term Financial Plan that manages a range of funding pressures, including more permanent reductions to annual government funding, to balance the budget for 2013-14 without a tax rise.

It includes major savings through efficiency by transforming the way the council works, removing or reducing council tax discounts on short term empty (‘Class C’) and second homes, accepting a one-off grant payment from the government equivalent to a one per cent rise in Council Tax, in return for freezing Council Tax, and using £24,000 out of balances.

The report to councillors also noted that by 2014-15 the council will have dealt with reductions to its government funding totalling 43 per cent of 2010-11 levels.

Redditch councillor Phil Mould, who is responsible for corporate management, said: “It is a tough budget. It’s well known that Redditch has consistently been handed the biggest cuts in the area but this year the council has kept tax down for residents by working smarter, working harder, and having clear priorities.

“That’s why there is no tax rise this year and we have been able to make new and useful services available to the public such as free swimming for the young and elderly and the pre-9.30am concessionary bus scheme.”