Labour’s budget comprehensively approved
Householders in Nuneaton and Bedworth face an overall council tax increase of 1.95 per cent – which means that those living in a Band D property will pay around 55p a week more from April 1.
Labour’s budget was comprehensively approved and leader Dennis Harvey said: “I challenge any other district council in the country to offer better value, pound for pound, penny for penny.”
In his 40th year as a councillor, he put forward proposals, agreed by his cabinet two hours earlier, which included a rise in council house rents averaging 6.08 per cent but a freeze on car parking charges and market stall rates.
Coun Harvey explained that a 1.75 per cent council tax rise was less than the 1.99 per cent increases set earlier this month by the Police Commissioner and Warwickshire County Council.
Added together, the figures for the borough add up to an annual payment of £1,570.31 in Band D, which is £30 higher than the previous 12 months.
Extra revenue will also come from putting up building control fees, while bus companies will pay £2,000 more for using the town centre terminus and costs will be trimmed in running the Play Rangers scheme.
Coun Harvey added that £50,000 would be taken from the New Homes Bonus scheme and that a Living Wage would be negotiated for council employees.
Deputy leader Coun Julie Jackson said: “This is a budget for hardworking families, with the council tax rise well below inflation and charges and fees capped at the current rates.”
Another local authority raising the tax by the absolute maximum before a referendum becomes necessary and rejecting a huge chunk of cash from central government as a result.
