7 February 2007
Eastbourne Borough Council is being recommended to increase its share of the council tax by just 2.5% from next April. It is also being recommended to invest new money of over £300,000 into improving services, make efficiency savings of nearly £700,000, raise over £700,000 in new income and approve a capital budget of nearly £8 million.
The recommendations on the budget for 2007/2008 were made by Cabinet on 7th February, and will be considered by Council later in the month when its meets to agree its budget and set council tax rates.
Councillor Chris Williams, Cabinet portfolio Member for finance commented “I am delighted that the Council will be able to agree a tax rise at less than the rate of inflation. This is in line with the commitment we made when we were elected to take control of the Council in 2004, and it follows on from our below inflation increases of 2% in 2005/2006 and 2.5% in the current year”.
“I am particularly pleased that we have found ways to continue to put new money into the budget which responds to the feedback we get through public consultation, and that we are able to do this without cutting services. And for the first time in a number of years we have a fully funded capital programme that will see the completion of the new cultural centre, more money going into council housing, the provision of new affordable housing, the refurbishment of seafront toilets and the purchase of 2 new Dotto trains”.
“On a personal level I am delighted with the investment we are making into green initiatives – like energy efficiency and waste reduction. Following on from investment this year into new lighting along the seafront, which will payback in savings over 4 years, and into the purchase of timers, sensors and new boilers, next year we will invest £350,000 into new windows for our customer contact centre and main administrative building at 1 Grove Road. These measures will see us take £65,000 out of the budget through energy savings and fit very well with the commitment we are making through our new corporate energy and water policy”.
