The weather isn’t the only thing which is freezing this year… your Council Tax is about to too!

 

Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet has three proposals to put to you and would like to receive your views by Friday 5th February 2010

 

The Cabinet is very much aware of the financial challenges many residents and businesses in Darlington are facing and in light of this proposes NOT to increase your Council Tax this year. Darlington’s Council Tax is less than any other town in the North-East… and the Cabinet wants it to stay that way!

 

Paying your council tax is a bit like paying for your internet, telephone and television all rolled in to one, as your ‘Council Tax Bill' actually includes; the Durham Police Authorities bill, the Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authorities bill and the Councils bill, plus any Parish precepts - should you live within a parish. So, whilst Darlington Borough Council does not propose to raise its part of the bill, the overall amount residents are asked to pay may rise if the police, fire and rescue authority or Parish Council choose to increase their amounts.

 

Less money coming in, but more demand on services means members of the Cabinet and officers have developed a number of key proposals to further reduce spending, whilst maintaining highly effective services.

 

Their plans for balancing the budget are as follows.

Invest an additional £1.4million in social care to pay for the increase in demand for services. Schools will receive a 3.1% increase in funding in line with an increase in Government grants. Drive efficiencies of £4.7million across the Council and its services.

 

The majority of service levels will remain the same however, it is proposed there will be some reductions in service levels to save a further £240,000 and seek to increase income by £200,000 from charges and sales.

 

Whilst the Council must find savings, it is also important to invest in the Borough. These investments will be made using capital budgets - which the Council compete for with other local authorities throughout the UK and then hopefully secure from the Government. A recent successful example of this is the securing of £57million from the Government’s Building Schools for the Future fund, which will be used to rebuild or renew Branksome, Hurworth and Longfield schools.

 

Over the next four years, the Council proposes to invest £143million through capital schemes which include: £10m on roads, tackling congestion, improving safety and helping bus passengers, £82m on schools, £19million on regeneration schemes including Central Park, the new Teesside University building in Darlington and helping new businesses.

 

Remember you only have until Friday 5th February 2010, so please email your views to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  ASAP!

 

To find out more about the Council’s budget plans, or to view a full copy of the proposals, please visit www.darlington.gov.uk/budgetconsultation where you can submit your comments via an online questionnaire and forum.