Conservative run Braintree District Council cuts Council Tax

Congratulations to Braintree District Council on their announcement of a 1% cut in the Council Tax this year.

Cllr Graham Butland, the Leader of the Council says:

“In an age of austerity, it is all too easy to generate more funds by increasing taxes, the challenge lies in improving service provision by being more efficient and performing better. The proposed reduction ensures that families and pensioners in the district have one less rising bill to worry about. We have worked hard to make savings whilst prioritising our front line services and continuing to deliver value for money for our residents.”

 

 

Of course the cut is modest (especially as most of the Council Tax bill is made up of essex County Council's share) but it is a wonderful example to others. No cuts in services. It is combined with no cuts in services and no increase in car parking charge.

They also encourage people back to work with a deal that the first £40 of earned income for Council Tax benefit claimants will be exempt.

The Council savings include:

• New leisure management contract saving £900,000 per annum.
• New ICT services contract saving £250,000 per annum.
• Increased income from the letting of Mayland House, Witham - £450,000 per annum.
• Increased income from the sale of recyclable materials - £150,000 per annum.

A fantastic achievement.