Council Tax level for Stratford District

Stratford-on-Avon District Councillors have set the district element of the council tax at a full meeting of the Council on Monday 29 February.

For the first time in 6 years the District Council has agreed to increase the Council's share (around eight pence in every pound collected) of the council tax by 3.90% to help cover the continuing fall in Government funding given to the District Council.

The amount residents will be asked to pay will rise by £5 a year for a band D property to £133.05

This means that all the services provided by the District Council cost £2.56 a week for a Band D household for a wide range of services including recycling and waste collection, planning, street sweeping, housing, housing benefits, leisure services and children's play areas. 

The amount the District Council charges council tax payers has been frozen in recent years and even in 2012/13 it was reduced by 1%. 

The council tax from Stratford-on-Avon District Council for residents for each of the valuation bands is:

A        £88.70                        

B        £103.48                  

C        £118.27                                              

D        £133.05                     

E        £162.62                

F        £192.18

G        £221.75                      

H        £266.10

Also announced at the Council meeting:

• Continued support towards the Community Transport Scheme
• Capital to support the next phase of the broadband BDUK programme
• Funding to meet the demand of the Disabled Facilities Grants
• Funding to upgrade IT equipment and services
• A reduction of the Council's senior management team giving an ongoing saving of £100,000 a year
• Undertake further strategic budget review to investigate further savings
• Support to both the Coventry & Warwickshire LEP and the West Midlands Combined Authority

Cllr Chris Saint, Leader of the Council says: “Continuing reductions in Government funding meant there was little option but to increase bills, as the goal posts have moved.  The increase that has been agreed is in line with those recommended by Government and this is the first time in 6 years that we have increased our share of council tax in order to continue to provide a robust suite of services.

“Whilst you can never guarantee all the ins and outs of our finances or increasingly the level of government support, this budget should maintain a stable financial position.  As we continue to juggle the mix of good news to accompany the constraints on expenditure, we have kept a watchful eye on effective efficient services – recognised in the citizen's panel results.

“No-one welcomes a tax rise, but I hope that residents will agree that at less than eight pence in every pound of council tax collected, Stratford-on-Avon District Council offers value for money."

For further attributable comments about the Council's budget, please contact Cllr Chris Saint, Leader of the Council on 01789 260085 (during office hours) or 01608 664048 (out-of-hours).

Around 76% of resident's council tax goes to Warwickshire County Council for services such as highways and education. 12% goes to the police and the remainder to parish councils.

The County Council's share will increase by £47.88 to £1,249.02 and the police share will increase by £3.75 to £191.98. 

Including the county council and police share of the council tax, the average amount payable for a band D property in Stratford District will be £1,574.05.