Council tax freeze confirmed in Central Beds

The average Band D council tax will be £1,308.33 for residents in the north and £1,326.24 for residents in the south of Central Bedfordshire.

The budget includes plans to harmonise council tax over a two-year period – although some services have been offloaded to town and parish councils.

The income from council tax, in addition to the grant the council receives from central Government, will fund £179.2m of spending on services in the coming year, ranging from children and adults’ social care to waste collection. This spending includes an additional £1.4m in social care for older people and an additional £1.7m on services for adults with disabilities, compared to last year.

Councillors also confirmed £79.7m of capital spending for 2012/2013, forming part of the four-year capital programme of investment in roads and street lighting, schools, care schemes and leisure projects. Councillor Maurice Jones said: “We’re delighted as we’ve delivered a balanced budget that will ensure residents continue to get real value for money for the rates they pay.”

The budget outlines £11.3m of savings in response to the continued economic pressures affecting the nation, which will be made through initiatives such as back office efficiencies after residents expressed a desire for the council to protect frontline services.