Council tax frozen by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council won't be increasing its share of the council tax this year. The Council made the decision to freeze council tax levels when it met to finalise the 2011/12 budget on Thursday 17 February. 

The Council also announced that it won't be cutting services or resources this year, despite the challenges of the ongoing economic climate, and that it has found a way to continue to support community projects by introducing a new Community Enhancement Fund. The £500,000 fund will be set up using money from the government's New Homes Bonus Scheme. 

Cllr Mark Worrall, Leader of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, says: "These are tough times but by taking a ten-year view of our finances we have been able to minimise the financial burden for our residents. We made sure we met the Coalition Government's criteria to receive a Council Tax Freeze Grant for 2011/12 so that we could keep our share of the council tax at its current level. We have made substantial efficiency savings which means we can protect services and the staff needed to deliver those services. We have also retained reserves which are adequate to deal with any unforeseen circumstances."

The Council agreed four aims that should underpin its budget for 2011/12: 

1. to maintain council tax at its current level for 2011/12; 

2. to protect services in 2011/12; 

3. to ensure it has the resources to deliver those services; and 

4. to ensure that the Council can still play a role in supporting worthwhile community projects. 

Cllr Worrall continues: "The hardest thing to do during these difficult times was to find a way for the Council to continue to support valued community initiatives and services. The new Community Enhancement Fund will provide an additional £125,000 every year for the next four years to community groups, which will be able to apply for grants, loans or match-funding. I'm really pleased that we will be able to increase our support for facilities and services in our communities." 

Kent County Council, Kent Police Authority and Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Authority, have also frozen their respective shares of the council tax for 2011/12, although residents in parished areas may see an increase depending upon the council tax levels set by their own parish councils. 

Council tax booklets and bills with full council tax details for 2011/12 will be delivered to residents in March. Residents on a low income or who live alone may be eligible for a reduction in council tax.

For more info call 01732 876 388

I'm happy with this - are you?

Image courtesy of Dave Dugdale/ Flickr