2008/9 council tax set for Slough
Slough’s councillors agreed to increase Slough’s council tax by 4.99% for 2008/09, at a meeting of the council on 21st February 2008.
The rise in Slough council tax is needed to help ‘balance the books’ due to a below inflation increase in funding provided by central government.
After allowing for £2.259 million of adjustments to funding in respect of grants which were previously given or to fund for new burdens, the council has received the minimum funding allocation possible under a system that is primarily based on Office for National Statistics’ mid-year population estimates.
The council continues to argue that these population statistics are flawed.
The proposals will increase the average local Band D council tax to £1,075.57 for 2008/9 from £1,024.41 in 2007/8, an increase of less than £1 per week.
When the police and fire authority requirements are included, the cost for a property in Band D will be £1,272.87.
Cllr Geoff Howard, Commissioner for Slough Resources, said: “The proposed rise in council tax is needed to help manage our below inflation increase in funding from the government, because of flawed population statistics. To continue providing essential services to Slough residents, we need to raise council tax to contribute towards the shortfall in funding.
“The recent announcement of the three year funding settlement has still not taken into consideration our increased population, so we will continue to make representations to the government on this issue.”
Slough Borough Council