Council approves Budget
Wyre Forest District Council has set a 2.5% increase in its
share of the Council Tax bill for the next financial year.
Full Council voted yesterday evening (Wednesday 24th
February) on the revenue budget for 2010-11. This is what the
District Council uses for the day to day running of services such
as waste and recycling collections, food and health and safety
inspections, planning and building control and parks and play
areas.
Wyre Forest District Council's share of the Council Tax bill is
just 13%.
A 2.5% increase represents a rise of £4.82 a year (or 9 pence a
week) on a Band D property for the District Council's share of the
bill. This means residents will be paying £197.62 (for a Band
D property) to the District Council for the year.
Wyre Forest District Council also collects the Council Tax on
behalf of Worcestershire County Council, Hereford and Worcester
Fire and Rescue Authority, West Mercia Police Authority and the
Parish/Town Councils. The overall bill on Band D property is
increasing to £1,489.04 from £1,451.71.
These figures do not include the Parish Precept which is an
average of £13.12, this represents an increase of 33 pence on
2009/10 levels, or 2.6%. Find out
more about Council Tax Valuation Bands 
(12K)
The range of measures agreed in the budget centres on ensuring
the Council is as efficient as possible and protects front-line
services.
Councillor Nathan Desmond, Wyre Forest
District Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources said,
“This has been another very difficult budget
for Wyre Forest District Council. The economic downturn has
affected us and once again we have had to make tough decisions
about the way we deliver services. The Council has agreed
this budget which focuses on protecting front-line services as well
as making the authority even more efficient.
We were committed to keeping the Council Tax increase to just
2.5 per cent for the fifth year running. If your bill is a
worry, please contact our Benefits Team to see if you qualify for
any kind of help. They can be contacted on 01562 732928.”
As part of the budget the Council has approved entering the
Shared Service for Regulatory Services across Worcestershire which
will start in June 2010.
Councillor John Campion, Wyre Forest District Council's Leader
said,
"I am pleased that the Council has agreed to join this ground
breaking collaborative arrangement. It is expected that this
arrangement will generate savings of around £180,000 a year for the
Tax Payers of Wyre Forest. I would like to take this opportunity of
thanking the staff who will transfer later this year to the new
shared service for the professional way in which they have
responded to the proposals."
Date of issue - 25th February 2010