Record low 2.45% council tax increase
COUNTY chiefs have today announced a record low tax increase for people in Suffolk of 2.45 per cent.
Neil Puffett
COUNTY chiefs have today announced a record low tax increase for people in Suffolk of 2.45 per cent.
The figure is below last year's increase of 3.75pc but has come in for criticism from the Tory administration's political opponents.
Jeremy Pembroke, leader of Suffolk County Council, said: “It's the lowest level of council tax ever set by the county council.
“Since we took office we have saved around �60 million and under our present chief executive we have saved around �12 million this year alone.
“The Government now recognises we are the most cost effective council in England.
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“I believe that we are in the midst of a severe recession and we do have to keep council tax increases as low as we possibly can.”
Mr Pembroke said of �12 million in savings made this year an additional �6 million is to be pumped into services for vulnerable children as well as �1.2 million for vulnerable adults.
But Kevan Lim, deputy leader of Suffolk's Labour group, said the headline figure for spending at the council has actually increased by �16 million despite the professed savings and called for the council to cut out non essential items.
Kathy Pollard, leader of Suffolk's Lib Dems, said: “They are trying to put a positive spin on their performance over the last four years but have cut �43 million from adult care and GCSE results are below the national average and falling.
The county council's portion of the council tax makes up around 70pc of the total pot.
Ipswich Council, which is looking to increase council tax by around 2.95pc, claims 20pc of the total while Suffolk Police Authority, which is looking to push through a 5pc increase receives the remaining 10pc.
