COUNCIL tax for the average Band D household will rise by 38pence after Hampshire county council set its budget for the coming year. It is the second consecutive time that a record low increase of 1.9per cent has been reached. Efficiency savings and good housekeeping have been praised for allowing the minimal increase, according to county bosses.
Council leader Ken Thornber commented: “It is thanks to our strong financial position through our continued drive to find better ways of working and give value for money that we have been able to deliver once again a low council tax increase. “There will be no cuts and any new initiatives or pressures will be met by savings. “The budget includes £24.4million in efficiencies and savings that will be reinvested in order to sustain our quality services.” Local government faces plenty of cuts and constraints from Westminster putting more pressure on councils, but Cllr Thornber believes services will continue to excell.
He continued: “Hampshire’s services have been rated as among the best, our council tax increase is among the lowest in the land and our value for money is unequalled. “I believe that our current performance and the steps the council has taken in this budget will put the council in the best possible position to ride out the expected cuts in local government funding, and our planned savings will help to offset the increased costs we will undoubtedly face.”
