Council tax levy frozen again (From The Oxford Times)

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Council tax levy frozen again

7:00pm Friday 10th February 2012 in Abingdon

VALE of White Horse District Council will set out plans on how it will spend its £10.7m cash pot next year.

The budget for the next financial year will be proposed at a cabinet meeting today by Matthew Barber, Tory council leader and cabinet member for finance.

The Tory council is to freeze its share of the council tax for the second year running, meaning residents will continue to pay on average £116.69 for services provided by the council.

It is also proposing no cuts to frontline services after making continued savings through working with South Oxfordshire District Council.

The council aims to raise the community grants budget from £80,000 to £100,000 and hand £10,000 and £5,000 to Wantage and Abingdon Citizens Advice Bureau.

The budget will go to council for final approval on Wednesday, February 22.

Mr Barber said: “Thanks to significant annual savings which we have achieved through internal efficiencies and shared working, our finances are in a lot better shape than they were a couple of years ago.”

Richard Webber, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, said more money could be handed to community groups.

Comments(8)

Myron Blatz says...
5:37am Sat 11 Feb 12

Which is more than can be said of Labour-dominated Littlemore Parish Council. According to the Parish's news sheet 'the Littlemore Local' (apparently not a village shop!) the three Labour Parish Councillors forced through a vote to increase the Parish Precept (not a double tax but part of the Council Tax moneys) by a staggering 20% for the years 2012-2013! This, at a time of massive job uncertainty, bankruptcies and economic meltdown around the world. According to the news sheet, Labour somehow convinced the Parish Council's Vice-Chair to vote with them to vote for a massive increase of £10,000 to help pay for yet more swings and roundabouts on the recreational field rented from City Council, whereas Blackbird Leys Parish Council doesn't have to pay for its childrens equipment, because it doesn't maintain the recreational fields! So, all quite baffling that City Councillors on a Parish Council can push through an increase of a stonking 20%, at a time when the City Council is capped and cannot force through such massive increases. Maybe Littlemore's Labour Councillors should ask for help from Vale of White Horse ......