RESIDENTS
in the Rochford District Council area face an increase
of
4.87% in the local council’s precept from April
1.
This means an increase of £8.73 for a band D property.
But taking in all precepts – the district, police
fire and average parish precept - the overall increase
for a Band D property is £60.42.
A statement issued by Rochford District Council says
that on a per head of population basis the council is
one of the lowest spending councils in Essex has the
lowest staffing level receives the second lowest level
of Government grant in Essex Coun leader Terry Cutmore
explained: “The budget reflects the key objectives
for this council, ranging from environmental enhancement
and regeneration to improved provisions
for young people.
“There is good news for holders of a free bus
pass - from 1 April, the pass will allow them to travel
anywhere within the UK.
However, this does mean more expenditure for Rochford
because the cost of each trip will be met by the authority
in which the journey commences.
“We have been allocated an additional £141,000
government grant but our estimated expenditure is likely
to be in the region of £840,000, which is an
increase of £320,000.” Coun Cutmore said
that funds had been set aside to develop links with
young people across the district and to provide them
with facilities where they can meet up.
In addition, money will be spent developing the area
around Rayleigh
Leisure Centre and enhancing Sweyne Park to provide
football pitches along with a clubhouse and changing
facilities.
A sum of £10,000 has been allocated to plant more
trees along highways and in urban areas and another
£10,000 will be
used to provide memorials and encourage events which
will ensure that visitors and residents are more aware
of the area’s rich heritage.
“Although the amount of grant the council receives
from central Government has increased by 2.2%, the Government
is withholding £156,000 worth of grant from Rochford
District,” he pointed out. “This money is
held back to give to richer councils that might otherwise
have lost out from the grant formula.
This is money that the Government’s own assessment
indicates we are due.” Individual Council tax
bills throughout the District will range from £1,441.85
to £1,514.41 for a Band ‘D’ property
because of the differences in the amount required from
the Parishes and Town Council. |
