Council agrees 3.6% tax rise (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Council agrees 3.6% tax rise

SOUTH Shropshire's portion of the council tax will rise next April by £6.71 per year on average - an increase of 3.6%.

A controversial increase in councillors' allowances, costing council taxpayers a further one per cent, was also approved at last Thursday's full meeting of South Shropshire District Council.

The Liberal Democrat-led administration said the increase was in line with inflation.

Over three years, the total cost to local Band D council taxpayers would be £22.37 or 14p a week over 156 weeks.

More than half (57%) of south Shropshire people live in properties graded A to C and will pay less than this.

"An inflation-only increase in our share of the council tax bill allows the district council to cover basic increases in costs and to continue to deliver the current level of services," said Councillor Heather Kidd, leader of SSDC.

By allocating some of the council's reserves and some "windfall" cash, it is set to invest up to £1.4 million in providing new local services.

"By spending wisely, we should be able to draw millions of pounds into the district from external sources," added Coun Kidd.

Conservative members argued the tax should have been pegged at current levels.

Coun Celia Motley said residents were fed up with council tax rises. Many people felt they received little in exchange, apart from wheelie-bin emptying.

At the same meeting, councillors voted themselves a rise of 25% in their basic allowances to £3,270 - backdated until April.

Coun Kidd will see a rise in her total allowances from £7,848 up to £13,080 - an increase of 66.7%.

The leader's allowance was agreed despite criticism from the Tories and a "no" recommendation from the council's own scrutiny committee.