Published on:
10
February 2005
Council Tax Payers can expect to pay an extra 60p a week on current council tax rates from April this year (based on Band D homes). This represents an increase of 3% on the previous year.
This means that people living in a Band D rates house will pay £1,074 compared to the current level of £1,043 - an annual increase of £31.
Council Leader Margaret Paterson said: "Today's council tax increase has been necessary to maintain service provision and bring in a balanced budget, ensuring the financial stability of the Council. An increase of 3% is well below the Scottish average and I am also pleased to say that 3% is the indicative figure we announced last year.
"This is a prudent budget which meets a number of our manifesto commitments. The public made a contract with us, and while we cannot be all things to all people, we have been able to introduce a number of new measures which I'm sure will meet the public's approval."
Growth items announced at the budget meeting include:
l £75,000 for a new nutrition project for primary pupils
l £80,000 extra for refuse collection
l £60,000 extra for improvements to street sweeping
And for the first time, there will be no annual increase in leisure charges.
Without making savings the Council's expenditure for the year ahead could have been £86.289 million, while its income from Government allocations and current Council Tax levels is £84.571 million.
Savings efficiency measures totalling £1.18 million will be made, with the balance met through the 3% Council Tax increase.
Indicative budget figures, including council tax levels, for 2006/07 and 2007/08 will be presented to the next Council meeting in March.
The budget also includes contributions of £244,000 to the Fire, Police and Joint Valuations Boards.
Scottish Water has increased water and sewerage charges by 2.8%.