Council tax increase unveiled for Staffordshire borough - here's how much more residents are being asked to pay
A council in Staffordshire is proposing to increase its council tax charges - here's by how much
A Staffordshire council is proposing a below inflation council tax increase of 2.98 per cent.
East Staffordshire Borough Council, say the equivalent Band D increase equates to an increase of just 12p a week.
The council has received a more favourable settlement from the government compared to previous years. Last year the core spending power of the council increased by 1.2 per cent, however the average across England was 5.7 per cent.
As a result the budget, which is set to be presented to councillors later this month, is set to be balanced. The budgets for the following two years until 2028/29 are also provisionally balanced, despite ongoing risks.
The budget period for 2028/29 is also currently assumed to be the first year of any new authority. Due to uncertainty and risks associated with local government reorganisation the local authority states more savings might need to be identified.
This financial year the council has identified £726,000 in savings, rising to £972,000 in 2028/29. In total 32 savings options have been identified including reducing the number of grass cuts from 10 to nine, reducing staff vacancies and hours, updated contracts and fees.
Budget documents state: “The budget has been prepared following extensive discussion between chief officers, managers and leading members. It also acknowledges that both the planned reforms to local government finance, demand for supported housing and current economic conditions have created a high degree of uncertainty within our financial planning.
“The budget takes appropriate account of external demands, service pressures and the impact of the capital programme to the extent that it can be ascertained at this time. It leaves the council with an appropriate level of reserves.
“Although it also highlights looking ahead the potential amendments to future years funding allocations for 2027/28 and 2028/29 and the risks associated with local government reorganisation, supported housing claims and potentially ongoing demand for our services, mean that the council may need to identify and deliver further savings in the future to ensure there continues to be no ongoing reliance on one-off resources.”
The budget is set to be recommended for approval by council leaders in the cabinet next week on Monday 9 February. Following this it will be up to all councillors at the full council meeting on Monday 23 February to decide whether to approve the budget.
