Somerset set for Lowest ever % Council Tax Increase

4.00.00pm GMT Wed 18th Feb 2009

Residents in Somerset will benefit from the lowest council tax in the South West and their lowest ever percentage increase. At 2.74%, which represents an increase of just over 50p per week, Somerset residents will pay less for their county council services than in any other county area in the south west.*

As other councils struggle to balance the books, Somerset gains from having the best services at the least cost. Conservative-run Buckinghamshire County Council is having to cull 500 jobs. Who knows what impact this will have?

This time the Tories didn't even produce an alternative budget on the back of a cigarette packet, in spite of leading a debate in the local press calling for a freeze on council tax. Members of the public who attended the meeting expressly to hear their alternative suggestions, went away shocked and angry. One commented:

"As usual Tories are very vocal in the press but when it comes to debating the issues, they are completely silent."

Jill Shortland, Leader of the Council, commented at the close of the meeting:

"I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of all the officers who left no stone unturned in keeping council tax to a minimum whilst protecting the services we provide. This is in spite of a government funding formula which creams off over £11m from Somerset to give to London Boroughs and inner cities, so we're always fighting for a fairer share for Somerset residents."

ENDS.

Notes to Editors:

• it takes the council tax for a Band D property from £999.90 last year to £1,027.30 in April.

In Devon, their 2.89% increase represents £1,094.67 for Band D and in Dorset, their 3.5% increase represents £1,134.54.

One of the reasons the county council has been so successful, is that meeting government targets brings in extra funding. They've also managed their finances extremely well and were recognised only recently by independent auditors as a top 4 star authority, including the highest possible score for Value for Money.