Good news for local taxpayers after county freeze (From This is The West Country)

Good news for local taxpayers after county freeze

5:04pm Monday 8th February 2010

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TAXPAYERS in Burnham and Highbridge can breathe a partial sigh of relief this week after being told the biggest chunk of their council tax bill will NOT rise.

Somerset County Council, which receives about 70% of the overall council tax total, agreed last Wednesday to freeze its share for 2010-2011.

Cllr David Huxtable, Somerset County Council's cabinet member for resources, said: “All councils throughout the UK are taking tough decisions about their spending commitments and it's just the same for Somerset.

“Increasing council tax at a time where people are losing their jobs and finding it financially difficult would be wildly inappropriate.”

Sedgemoor District Council, which gets 9% of the overall council tax contributions, will decide on February 17 what it will charge – and a rise of 4% has already been proposed.

Avon and Somerset Police Authority, which makes up just over 11%, will set its level today (Wednesday) and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, which receives about 5% of the overall total, will approve its figure on February 19.

Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, which has the smallest share of 2.7%, has already decided to increase its precept by less than 20p per week for an average band D property, or £9.51 a year.

Council clerk Eileen Shaw said the authority took feedback from local residents into account when deciding on the figure.

She also said provision was made to allow the town council to have “meaningful discussions” with the district council and other authorities on how to maintain valued community services.

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