Council Tax at 3.9%

7.00.00pm GMT Tue 1st Mar 2005

Liberal Democrat Councillors celebrating a budget which delivers for the people of West Berks.

3.9% Council Tax, good financial management and a boost for essential community spending marked the budget presented today by the Liberal Democrat West Berkshire Council.

Cllr Dr Royce Longton, Leader of the Council, remarked:

"To deliver a low Council Tax rise and increased community investment is a demanding task for any Council and is a testament to the hands-on responsiveness of the Liberal Democrats, and the effectiveness of Council Officers.

"This year the Council Tax rise is only 3.9% - an extra 60p per week for an average household, and is lower still than Central Government orders, and is lower than the national average for this year."

"Last year we were severely restricted by Government, yet still managed to move from 'fair' to 'good'on our CPA score and become one of the most improved Councils in the UK. In 2005/6 under the control of the Liberal Democrats we will be able to achieve even more."

Speaking on the impact of this year's Government settlement, Cllr Denise Gaines, Executive Member for Finance, said:

"Lets not forget that the people of West Berkshire have been short-changed by the Government to the tune of £7m. The settlement from Government this year has still restricted what this Council can do, but we have still successfully delivered low Council Tax rises and essential community investment."

Cllr Mike Rodger, Executive Member for Culture & Leisure, added:

"It is important to note that the new Cinema has had no effect on this budget, as the Cinema will be paid for by for through the night-time economy it generates, and the Cinema would have any affect until 2006 in any case. We have achieved low Council Tax rises and real community investment, and the Cinema has not detracted from that at all."

Mike Rodger added:

"The Liberal Democrats are committed to a better deal for our community and our schools. Delaying the Council’s proposals to spend £120,000 on refurbishing the Council Chamber, and diverting this money into Extended Schools programme to benefit the East or the district or Park House."

Cllr Mollie Lock, Executive Member for Children & Young People, added:

"The essential community investment achieved by the Liberal Democrats will make 2005/6 an exciting year for West Berkshire's residents. We're investing in more Library books, improvements and developments to local schools, resurfacing 48 roads across the East of the district, bridges, Newbury car parks, Shaw House, Beansheaf Garage project, Thatcham discovery centre, a skate park in Burghfield, traveller liaison and better customer service."

ENDS

Notes:

The most salient points in the budget are listed below:

• Council Tax: There will be a Council Tax increase of 3.9% in 2005/6.

• £660k has been made available for priority schemes, including:

• An innovative programme of placement support to reduce the number of high cost placements in Independent Fostering care

• £100k worth of extra library books each year;

• Consultation for Thatcham Vision and Eastern Vision;

• A Traveller Liaison Officer jointly-funded with other Local Authorities.

• Development of a formal health and social care integration in conjunction with the PCTs to provide integrated adult social care services and children's services;

• Urban design advice to assist with planning performances;

• Additional resources to develop the customer focus agenda of the Council.

• Significant capital investment is being made to benefit the community, including:

• Significant and essential investment in schools across West Berkshire;

• Bridges at Grazeley, Northcroft Canal, and the MoD site in Thatcham;

• Traffic improvements at Pangbourne and Crookham Common;

• 48 roads resurfaced in Aldermaston, Bradfield, Bucklebury, Burghfield, Pangbourne, Purley, Streatley and Tilehurst;

• Improvements to the Market Place and Northbrook multi-storey Car Park in Newbury;

• The development of the Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre, Burghfield Common Skate Park and the continuing restoration of Shaw House.