Tendring confirms council tax cut for residents (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Tendring confirms council tax cut for residents

4:00pm Friday 10th February 2012 in News

RESIDENTS will see a cut in their council tax for the second year in a row.

Tendring Council voted in favour of a 0.5 per cent reduction in the authority’s portion of the bill for next year.

Leader Neil Stock also reported that savings of £4.4 million, following Government cuts, are close to being achieved ahead of schedule.

It means that cash will be available to invest in a number of projects, including £3 million for coastal protection, as well as redeveloping Clacton seafront’s Atlanta Café and funding for the Jaywick Neighbourhood Team.

Mr Stock said: “There really is a culture now where every penny spent is questioned and staff have worked hard to look at how they can deliver within tighter budgets.

“The period of austerity is not over. However, this is a sound budget that puts us in a good position to face the coming years.”

Mr Stock promised there would be no reductions in council services as a result of the budget.

The council’s Labour group said the council tax cut was “nothing more than a party political gesture”.

Group leader Les Double said: “At a time of increasing unemployment it is beyond belief that the Tories are not focussing on local regeneration and economic development.”

Labour said £500,000 should be set aside for regeneration and called for the Tories to reverse the 48 per cent increase in sports pitch hire charges. It also urged the council not to pull the plug on funding the Disabled Go scheme.

Tendring First called for £120,000 to be taken from the Big Society fund to re-establish the small grants scheme, which saw £2,000 handed to councillors to fund projects in their wards. All the amendments were rejected.