More Budget Matters

It is that time of year, when budgets are being set all round the County for the level of Council tax to be paid this year. Last Friday, I attended the Thames Valley Police Authority's budget meeting, where we set the tax level at 4.5% increase. Tonight, it was the turn of the Vale of White Horse District Council to set their council tax level which will work out at 4.8% increase. The Government's capping limit prevents having a rise more than 5% hence the target is to set the level below that.

There was a fair amount of discussion this evening, especially around the savings the Vale has been able to achieve having gone into a Shared Management arrangement with South Oxfordshire District Council. This means, that we not only share our Chief Executive, but also our senior management team who have now been recently appointed. Income to the council has suffered during the recession including that derived from planning fees, as less planning applications are being processed. We also have to fund the government's scheme of concessionary fares which was introduced to give pensioners free bus travel outside peak hours.

However, the Vale's Council tax has been the 12th lowest of the 286 non-metropolitan districts with a Band D property now costing just £112.31 a year - just £2.16 per week. Not bad, considering all the services provided to residents.

What was missing this evening however, was an alternative proposal from the Conservatives in opposition. A lot of moaning but no practical solutions, no ideas or any insight into how they would do anything differently. I guess that can only mean they are happy with our spending and saving proposals too. Not much of an opposition then!