A 4.5% Council Tax increase will help safeguard services and stabilise Anglesey‘s financial standing.
The County Council currently faces huge financial pressures and has opted for a higher Council Tax level than in recent years.
Members of the Full Council today (Thursday, March 4th) backed the Executive’s final budget proposals, together with the 4.5% Council Tax increase for 2010-11.
Anglesey‘s Council Tax still remains one of the lowest in Wales, with an average Band ‘D’ Council Tax bill standing at £825.30, excluding North Wales Police and Community Council precepts.
Speaking after the meeting, Council Leader Councillor Clive McGregor stressed, “We face a hugely difficult financial period which will bring with it many new challenges. Our services will be put under increased pressure and we’ll be forced to make more and more savings across every Council department.”
“The current financial climate coupled with another dreadful Welsh Assembly Government settlement for Anglesey made a substantial increase inevitable.”
Safeguarding services, however, remains a priority with officers now tasked with investigating different provision methods, which could lead to a greater emphasis on partnership working with other councils, voluntary groups and private sector.
Cllr McGregor added, “This Council Tax increase follows consultation with communities across the Island and is aimed at protecting our services. I am also confident that this budget will help stabilise the Authority’s financial standing as we face a bleak financial outlook.”
The Council’s final budget proposals include an employee pay freeze in line with national local government employers and further savings from its Affordable Priorities Programme during the next financial year.
Finance portfolio holder, Cllr Tom Jones, said, “We have consulted widely prior to finalising our budget for 2010-11 and, as an Executive, we’ve taken onboard many of the arguments put to us. I’m confident that we have a budget which will help steady the ship as we head into some rough financial waters.”
