Council Tax set to freeze again in Bradley Stoke
BSTC - 19th November 2010
It may have started to get a bit chilly in South Gloucestershire but Residents of Bradley Stoke look set to benefit from a freeze... in their local council tax next year after Bradley Stoke Town Council voted on Wednesday to increase the precept (the portion of the council tax paid to the authority) by 0%.
The move, which if confirmed when the budget is finalised in January, means that the precept for a band D property will remain at £113.50 for the year from April 2011.
Proposing the freeze, which was backed by all parties and carried unanimously, Cllr Roger Avenin (Con, Lakeside) said "We're still in uncertain economic times. Many local people are seeing their pay frozen and it would be quite inappropriate to ask residents to pay any more." adding "We have funds in reserve there is no need to increase the precept".
The freeze, which is the second in three years, will not however lead to cuts in services as efficiency savings, including those identified in staffing following the retirement of both the Town Clerk and Deputy Clerk earlier in the year, mean the council expects to turn a surplus for the current period. Councilor Mark Forsyth, Chair of the Finance Committee said: "This is excellent news for the residents of Bradley Stoke. We are cognisant of the current economic climate, and have tried in our own way, to reduce the financial burden on the residents of the Town" adding "I'm grateful for the help of my colleagues and our financial officer Rachel Pullen for their hard work to bring this to fruition"
