19/02/07 - Robert Buckland Welcomes Conservative Action On Council Tax
Council Tax In Line With Inflation
Council Tax rocketed a disgraceful 42% in just 3 years under Labour in Swindon. Local residents were so angry, the majority of Labour Councillors were booted out by local residents in the 2004 and 2006 elections, ending their 25 years of mismanagement and failure. We shouldn't have been surprised, under this wasteful, greedy Labour Government, taxes are now at a 20 year high, leaving us all with less money in our pockets.
Since we took control of Swindon Council in 2004, we have kept Council Tax inline with inflation, and increased funding significantly for front line services.
This has been done by:
- Cutting the endless waste and mismanagement of the former Labour Council, in excess of £20m in the last 3 years
- Chasing late payers and tax dodgers, which has generated an extra £1m a year
- Carefully managed budgets, just like any family would, spending only what we can afford
It is only the Conservatives who will deliver fair and affordable Council Tax in Swindon.
Robert Buckland states,
"Labour's endless Council Tax hikes were unacceptable, especially for those on fixed incomes. We will continue to do everything to avoid a return to the bad old days of the wasteful Labour Council."
Additional Notes
Have minimised impact on Council Tax for this year largely through local initiatives:
* £5m of efficiency savings
* £2m increased income
* £2m funding changes
* £1m growth in properties
* £1m collection of council tax arrears
Revenue Summary:
* Children's Services - £225k for additional staff to strengthen services , with promise of further £189k in 2008/09
* Environment & Leisure - £1.4m for new recycling service, rising to £2.1m recurring extra funding by 2009/10
* Environment & Leisure - £0.3m to cover the impact of demographic growth on grounds maintenance, street cleaning and highways
* Environment & Leisure - £0.1m to tackle vandalism and graffiti
* Housing and Social Care - £1.2m to address increased demand in services to older people and adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs
* Housing and Social Care £235k in preventative services to reduce costly admissions into care homes
CAPITAL PROGRAMME
The Council also has one of the most exciting capital programmes of any local authority in the country.
The planned spend up to 2010 is a massive £364m with only £42m (12%) funded from external borrowing.
The remaining funding will be from grants, capital receipts and developer contributions so has no impact on Council Tax.
Children's' Services:
* 0-19 Academy at Pinehurst costing £34m (£6m funded by Swindon Borough Council)
* 3 new primary schools in West Swindon - £18m
* £8.5m on replacement of unsuitable temporary school accommodation
* £4m on Lawn and Even Swindon primaries
* £3m on extended schools
Environment & Leisure:
* £26m on major highways works
* £9.6m on the new central library, where construction work has just commenced
* £4m to support implementation of the new recycling service
* £3.5m at Lydiard Park
* £2.9m on improving existing leisure facilities
* £1.4m to refurbish the Wyvern theatre
Housing & Social Care:
* £44m will be spent on improving the housing stock
* £2.3m on a new community facility at Pinetrees
* £2m on affordable housing
* £1.9m to improve older people's residential care homes
* £1.1m on new extra care sheltered accommodation
* £1m on provision of respite care for people with learning difficulties
Resources & Chief Executive:
* Repairs and maintenance to assets - £8.1m
* £1m on improvements to meet DDA standards
* £99m on primary and secondary infrastructure for the Wichelstowe development, including £6m on a new primary facility
