Thumbs up for Chichester tax rise
Cross-party support from both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats for this year's increase in the Chichester District Council share of council tax bills was given at its budget meeting.
The district figure will rise by 3.5 per cent, £4.27, to £126.20 at the average band D level.
West Sussex County Council, Sussex Police and parish council figures have to be added to the total.
The district's own tax amounts to about nine per cent of the bill.
Cllr John Cherry, portfolio holder for resources, said the district tax was the lowest in West Sussex and the fourth lowest out of 46 district authorities in the south-east.
Most local authorities were struggling to make difficult choices between cuts in services or higher council tax.
"We are in the fortunate position of yet again setting a low council tax, increasing expenditure on core services and still having the money to invest in new service improvements," he added.
Opposition leader Cllr Andrew Smith said he would not propose any amendments and voted for it.
"But there are significant challenges ahead, not only future government grant settlements but also cost pressure such as the concessionary bus fares scheme and many others," he added.
The full article contains 209 words and appears in OS-Chichester Observer newspaper.
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Last Updated:
28 March 2008 4:09 PM
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Source:
OS-Chichester Observer
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Location:
Chichester
