Cabinet to consider draft budget plans

Archived press release

Date Published: 28/11/08

A two per cent council tax increase is being considered by the cabinet

Aylesbury Vale District Council has been busy preparing for its draft budget for the next financial year.

At its meeting next Tuesday (2 December), the council’s cabinet will consider the draft budget which is recommending a two per cent council tax increase.

The district council’s share of the council tax amounts to only about ten per cent of the total tax bill and is proposed to rise from £126.04 to £128.57 per year for a typical Band D property.

A number of significant savings are also being proposed to give council tax payers better value for money. For example, the council has been able to make very substantial savings on salaries through a series of restructuring plans, retirements and not filling existing vacant posts.

The savings planned will also help the council cope with a number of financial pressures, which include a drop in income from services such as local land charge and planning fees as a result of the slowdown in the housing market.

Councillor Margaret Morgan-Owen, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “We recognise that the current economic situation is difficult for local residents in many ways. The council has always had a policy of sound financial management and this has enabled us to keep council tax levels as low as possible.”

She added: “This is the beginning of the budget setting process so I would emphasise that nothing is yet set in stone. After next week’s meeting the cabinet will be in listening mode.”

Following next Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, the draft budget will then be discussed by each scrutiny committee before cabinet finalise their proposals for consideration by full council in February next year.

Those people who are experiencing difficulty in paying their council tax are advised to contact AVDC on 01296 585299 for advice, including disability relief, discounts, exemptions and payment arrangements to help those who may have problems.