EHDC Budget – Partnerships and 2.5% council tax rise
Friday 27th January 2012
Successful partnerships and a council tax rise of 2.5 percent will protect frontline services provided by East Hampshire District Council.
The 2012/2013 budget, agreed by EHDC’s Cabinet on Wednesday night, is the first part of a three year plan that will secure financial stability and maintain the quality of services in the face of a stuttering economy and diminishing government grant.
The council tax rise, only the second increase in the last six years, will raise £160,000 and represents an extra £3.28 on a Band D property, or 6p a week.
Costs have also been significantly reduced, largely through innovative partnerships. More than £820,000 is being saved on an annual basis through EHDC’s partnership with Havant Borough Council while the Joint Waste Contract, launched with Winchester City Council in October, will save just over £1m a year.
Cllr Julie Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, said: “We have managed to balance the budget without drawing on reserves and we’ve largely done that through our partnerships with Havant and schemes such as the Joint Waste Service with Winchester City Council. These have allowed us to make savings without cutting front-line services.
“The three year plan gives us a longer term view of our finances and the general economic picture. It also takes into account changes that may have an effect on council finances, such as the Localism Act.
“Over the last five years we have only raised council tax once. Alongside that the government grant we receive has dropped from £6m to £3m over the last few years. In this context I am proud of the budget we have produced which maintains frontline services while keeping the cost to the customer low.”
Savings of around £220,000 are expected following a review of the Customer Services and Revenue and Benefits departments and other services will be reviewed in a similar way in the coming year. Costs may be further reduced through an increase in cemetery fees.
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