From our Local County Councillor
With little going on at Shire Hall over the last month, we remain in limbo
regarding Council Tax. It seems that the Government could not make up its mind
over how much grant to give to local councils, Since my last newsletter Grant
has been increased, in our case, by £1-2M which will help to keep down the Tax
or save a service cut.
Anyway, you all have a chance to take part in public consultations to query the County's intention to spend around £450M on its services - primarily schools, transport network and caring for elderly and vulnerable children.
As I have warned you before, the Leader and Cabinet still want to peg the County's increase to 6% (88p / week for average households). However, there will still have to be cuts to many services to match funds arising from Government, business rates and the Council Tax proposal mentioned above.
The public consultation will also allow you to air your views on alternative Council Tax of 8% and 10%. If a clear majority of opinion chose one of these two higher figures in order to save some of the services cuts, then the Cabinet has "pledged" to listen and amend its plans.
So, the options are:
- CT increase of 6% (88p. / week average household). Result schools in Cambs £2m short of what is needed and £3m cuts to other services.
- CT increase 8% (£1.17 / week average household). This would raise additional £3m all of which would go to schools.
- CT increase 10% (£1.46 / week average household). This would raise a further £3m, half of which would go to schools and the other towards improving levels of care and highway maintenance. Some other cuts would still be necessary.
A leaflet explaining all these matters has been sent to your parish council clerk as well as other community groups (e.g. Hereward Housing) and schools. A telephone survey of about 700 individuals will be carried out.
The Council leaders will attend as follows:
- 13 Jan. public at Shire Hall 7.30pm
- 17 Jan. public at Cambridge Central Library 2- 4 pm
- 22 Jan. public at Ely Library 5.30 - 7pm
I shall mention all this to parish Councils during this month when I attend their meetings.