Councillors are proposing a rise in Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's share of the Council Tax bill for the first time in four years.
The borough council has published its draft budget for the coming financial year after it was agreed for consultation by councillors last Thursday (November 8).
In it, the council has put forward a proposed 2% increase in its share of the bill, and turned down an offer of a Council Tax freeze grant from the Government.
The draft budget also includes a cut in staff numbers at the council by 20 full-time equivalent posts - 17 of which are currently vacant, or will be, by next April.
Deputy leader Victor Broad said they were mindful that families were finding things hard in the current economic straits, but that accepting the Government's offer would have meant the council having to find £1.5 million more in savings up to 2018.
Deputy leader Victor Broad said they were mindful that families were finding things hard in the current economic straits, but that accepting the Government's offer would have meant the council having to find £1.5 million more in savings up to 2018.
The Government offer would have been equivalent to a 1% increase.
But Coun Broad said: “This time we are proposing not to accept the offer because it means we would need to find an additional £1.5 million in savings over the next five years to meet the budget gap it would create.”
He continued: "Instead we are proposing a 2% increase in Council Tax - equivalent to 7p a week for the average household.” He said: “We know that it is difficult for residents in the current economic climate and so we have sought to keep the rise as low as we can."
Read the full article at redhillandreigatelife
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