Despite big reductions in funding from Government, Sevenoaks District Council has frozen its share of the Council Tax for a second successive year. Councillors set the Council Tax for the coming year at the annual budget setting meeting last night (Tuesday 21 February 2012). The Council recognises that many people are feeling the effects of the economic downturn. But thanks to long-term financial planning, it has been able to help hard-pressed households by pinning down Council Tax at 2010 levels. Last April the Council began a 10-year budget framework to save £4.5 million over four years from an annual budget of £16.7 million. These saving were necessary to balance the books following a significant cut in the Government support grant and other financial pressures. The budget framework committed the Council to reducing its back office costs, achieving greater efficiencies and sharing services with other councils. The Council also promised to review staff terms and conditions and freeze pay. Such long-term budgeting is unusual in local government. But after the first year, the Council is on target to achieve all the savings. Cllr Peter Fleming, the Leader of the Council, says: The Council Tax bill Next month, Sevenoaks District Council will post the annual council tax bill to around 48,000 households. However, many residents are unaware that for every pound of Council Tax, Sevenoaks keeps just 12p. That’s because Sevenoaks collects the Council Tax not just for itself, but for KCC, the Police, the Fire Service and the local town and parish councils as well. The average Council Tax bill, at band D, costs £1,503 and of this, Sevenoaks District Council’s share is £182. This works out as £3.50 a week. Here’s how the Council Tax is shared out for every pound collected. Kent County Council – 70p Sevenoaks District Council – 12p Kent Police Authority – 9p Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority – 5p Town or parish council average– 4p Sevenoaks DC News
