Frontline services to be protected, Chichester District Council says

Collecting waste is one of more than 80 services Chichester District Council is responsible for

Councillors last week agreed a rise to the average tax bill of £5 a year, which it says means most taxpayers will pay £2.90 a week for its services.

“Keeping council tax low has always been a priority for us,” said Cllr Philippa Hardwick, cabinet member for finance.

CDC says government cuts has forced the rise and it still has one of the lowest rates in the country. The county council and Sussex Police have also agreed tax rises.

Although the council collects the council tax, this is then distributed to a number of public services.

The district council’s share amounts to around 9 per cent of the amount paid each year.

The rest goes to West Sussex County Council (79per cent), Sussex Police (9per cent), and parish councils (3per cent on average).

Cllr Hardwick said: “The council is continuing to work hard to ensure that support is in place for the people in our community who need it most.

“We also recognise that we need to make further savings to cope with cuts to our government funding and we are working on our deficit reduction plan.

“It aims to generate further income and savings amounting to £3.9m over the next five years which we hope will minimise future council tax increases.

She added: “With significant government cuts, this has not been easy. However, we have done everything possible to reduce our costs, while continuing to maintain important frontline services.

“Unlike many other local authorities, we are also making sure that we protect those on low incomes by continuing to maintain the same level of council tax reduction that we offer.

“This means that those on low incomes will be protected from any council tax increase.”

Chichester District Council provides more than 80 services, which are delivered over a 24-hour period.

It empties bins, checks food hygiene standards, cleans the streets, looks after the coastline, cares for parks and open spaces and provides support and reassurance to the vulnerable.

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