Liberal Democrats bring in lower than inflation Council Tax rise
January 24, 2008 12:00 AM
An inflation beating 1.75% rise in Council Tax for Thatcham's residents was recommended by the Town Council's Budget Committee at its meeting last night (Wednesday 23rd January, 2008).
The main highlight in the budget proposals being put before Monday's Full Council meeting (7:30 p.m. Monday 28th January, 2008) is the continued expansion of the highly successful Neighbourhood Warden scheme by funding (in conjunction with West Berkshire Council) an extra (fourth) warden. The budget will also guarantee the continuation of the new increased hours that started as a temporary move in December. The wardens have won respect and support across the Town when they worked tirelessly during the floods to directly assist elderly and vulnerable flood victims in July last year with overtime paid by the Town Council.
Services to the public including the Lower Way Playing Field (now due to be reinstated at the expense of Thames Water after their two sewers were laid under it last year), the Kennet Leisure Centre and Henwick Field Sports Centre, the Youth Forum, October's Festival of the Arts, the Christmas Lights evening and newsletters to all residents four times a year will all be continued and improved. The Town Council will also produce a new Emergency Plan that responds to the experiences of the July flooding last year.
The proposed budget will also continue to support the Detached Youth Workers in the Town, the Nature Discovery Centre, the CCTV scheme and the Town's public conveniences in the Broadway. The Town Council is also responsible for the Town's allotments, the Cemetery, St Mary's Churchyard and areas of public open space.
The Chairman of the Budget Committee (Councillor Owen Jeffery, Liberal Democrat, Thatcham South & Crookham) said after the meeting that ''prudent financial control of the Council's affairs plus sensible forward planning have allowed us to continue improving Thatcham's public services but with a Council Tax rise that is even lower than the current rate of inflation''.
The Mayor of Thatcham (Councillor Phil Dray, Liberal Democrat, Thatcham West) gave his thumbs up to the balanced budget saying ''After last year's floods which hit so many households in our Town so desperately hard Councillors were determined to give Thatcham the boost of a low Council Tax rise while still carefully improving the Town's services.''
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