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11 Feb 04Poole Watches The Pennies
Following tough monitoring and management of the Council's budget, Poole's Council Tax will increase by just under 5%.
Councillor Brian Leverett, Leader of Poole Council, said: "We have worked long and hard to look at ways of reducing the growing burden of Council Tax on residents, without it impacting on the services that they need and want. Poole's Cabinet has scrutinised budgets and improved overall control of the Council's finances over the past 10 months and this low increase of just 4.96% is evidence of it really making a difference. We are now in a more stable position to assure Poole's residents of a fairer Council Tax whilst at the same time providing them with good quality services. However, unless the Government recognise in future years their responsibility to fund local authorities adequately, no-one can guarantee the level of Council Tax increases to come."
The Council's year ahead will bring challenges, with firm commitment to its priorities and new responsibilities from government, such as:
- Liquor licensing
- Increased landfill tax charges
- Implementation of the waste strategy
- Poole's commitment to education
- Full Sail Ahead - Poole's new bridge & town centre regeneration
- Pride In Poole - improving maintenance in the Town Centre
Cllr Leverett added: "Although we are faced with these challenges we are confident that strong management will ensure that we achieve them. Poole was rated a 'good' authority, providing a good level of services to its residents in its Corporate Performance Assessment (CPA) last year. However, the District Auditor warned that the Council must improve its budgetary control. In 2003/4 the Council had just £1.6M in its reserves, for 2004/5 we project that the Council's reserves will be £3.4M, a much more prudent level that demonstrates good management of the Council and its services."
Ruth Lawson, PR Officer (Media), Borough of Poole, tel: (01202) 633295
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