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Council tax freeze plans
Brid Spa finnished & Ready to go PA0818-4a Stephen Parnaby
EAST Riding of Yorkshire Council this week set a budget for 2013/14 which again freezes its council tax, does not involve a reduction in any public facilities run by the council, and continues annual spending of £22 million with the voluntary and community sector.
The budget also achieves savings of £24 million in line with the need to further reduce spending as a result of on-going reductions in Government funding, which accounts for around two thirds of all the money available to the council.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of the council, said: “This council like others has faced large cuts in government grant which looks set to continue in future years and this presents a big challenge especially as the East Riding starts from a low funding base with funding that is well below the average for similar councils.
“However we have planned ahead with a strong financial strategy that is achieving substantial cumulative savings while protecting the essential services on which East Riding residents – including vulnerable children and adults – depend.”
“Residents have identified highways maintenance as a top priority and I am pleased to confirm that the council will find the funding, as we have consistently done in recent years, to repair damaged roads which have taken another battering this winter.
“More good news is the council’s decision today to continue for another year the £200,000 grant fund for town and parish councils.
“This has proved popular and achieved some excellent outcomes – for example in enabling parishes to buy equipment to help deal with severe winter weather in their areas.”
The council faces a projected funding reduction of £47.3 million over the period 2010/11 to 2016/17. The Government’s grant to the council for 2013/14 has been reduced by £11.3 million or 8.1%.
Savings achieved by the council over the last three years total some £47 million but further large savings will still be needed in future years as government cutbacks to its funding for local government are anticipated to continue until at least 2017/18.
Councils choosing to freeze their council tax are receiving additional Government funding equivalent to a one per cent increase in council tax which for the East Riding is £1.452 million.
The final council tax resolution is due to be approved on February 20 when details of the precepts for Humberside Fire & Rescue Service and from the Police and Crime Commissioner are known.
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Weather for Selby
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
