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Council agrees 0% increase in its portion of Council Tax

Castle Point Borough Council has agreed a zero percent increase in its portion of the council tax bill for the coming year.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Full Council on Wednesday (21 February), at which councillors also agreed the Council’s budget for 2024/25.
The decision will mean Castle Point’s charge for a Band D property remains the same as 2020/23 at £281.79.

It is the first time for nearly a decade that the Council has not increased its portion of the Council Tax bill, and the first time it has ever done so without recourse to government grant to compensate.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Steve Mountford, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “Our Council finances are sound and I presented a balanced and well planned budget to Council.

“We are running the Council more efficiently and the savings we have made have enabled us to freeze the council tax this year (a zero percent increase) and increase reserves.

“We have closed the £1.2m budget gap forecast for the coming year and reduced the budget gaps forecast for future years. With our transformation programme underway we are on course to fully close these gaps.”

During his speech to Council, Cllr Mountford outlined key points of the Council’s budget for 2024/25. It includes:

  • Delivering a balanced budget having closed a gap of £1.2m.
  • An expectation to spend £15.6m delivering services in 24/25.
  • A capital programme of £6.3m which will see key building projects come to fruition and new refuse vehicles purchased to improve reliability. 
  • Investing an additional £314k in housing and homelessness.
  • Continuing to fund items that matter to residents e.g. Christmas lights and public conveniences.

 Following Council’s approval of the budget, Cllr David Blackwell, Leader of the Council, said:
“As Cllr Mountford said in his speech to Council, this is a diligent, fair and ambitious budget.  It delivers for our communities at a cost that our residents can afford.

“We are taking care of the Council’s finances, planning for this coming year and also looking to future years.

“At the same time we are investing in our communities and what residents tell us matters to them.”

This meeting was live streamed and archived at www.youtube.com/@CastlePoint-BC