Eastbourne Borough Council last night announced a freeze on the council tax for 2011/12 and confirmed that there would be no reductions in frontline services.
The decision will trigger a payout from the government after they promised an award for all local authorities able to bring in a 0% council tax settlement. The award equates to 2.5% of the council’s grant for 2011/12 and means Eastbourne will receive £200,000.
The news comes at a time when other authorities are announcing major cuts in services and widespread staff redundancies.
Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Financial Services, Councillor Gill Mattock, said, “I’m delighted that we have been able to achieve a council tax freeze at a time of severe financial pressures. There will be no impact on frontline services and no need to drawer on our reserves. Our medium and longer term financial planning has transformed the council finances and attracted a very positive response from our external auditors. We have tackled the big challenges head-on and refused to shy away from the issues that some authorities have ignored.”
The Eastbourne Borough Council element of the council tax is only a small proportion of the overall bill.
Using a typical 2010/11 Band D property as an example, the total bill amounts to £1602.77, with East Sussex County Council accounting for £1158.30, Eastbourne Borough Council £224.19, Sussex Police Authority £138.42 and East Sussex Fire and Rescue £81.86.
Leader of the Council, Councillor David Tutt, added, “We recognise that every local authority and public sector organisation has a role to play in the reduction of the UK’s financial deficit, but believe it must be achieved without impacting on the most vulnerable people we support. Eastbourne Borough Council has been able to deliver the budget by taking money out of building costs, which in turn has allowed us to invest in services.”
