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 25 February.

The District Council has agreed a 1.5% increase in its share of the Council Tax to help cover the continuing fall in Government funding given to the District Council.

The amount residents will be asked to pay for a band D property is £139.12 - much less than the recommended amount and equating to an increase of less than 4p a week.

This means that all the services provided by the District Council cost £2.68 a week for a Band D household for a wide range of services including recycling and waste collection, planning, street cleaning, housing, housing benefits, leisure services and children's play areas.  

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

• A        £92.75                        
• B        £108.20                  
• C        £123.66                                              
• D        £139.12
• E        £170.04               
• F        £200.95
• G        £231.87                      
• H        £278.24  

Also announced at the Council meeting was budget provision for:  

• Wellesbourne Airfield: £1,125,000 as a one off sum towards the legal costs for the Compulsory Purchase Order. The District Council is committed to the continuance of aviation at Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield and has approved policies within the Core Strategy to achieve this aim and to help preserve industrial land in the district, of which there is a shortage.
• Elizabeth House: £750,000 as a one off sum for improvements to the District Council offices, enabling further sub-letting of Elizabeth House with a proposed annual rental income in the region of £80,000 recurring from 2020/21.
• Homelessness Prevention Tools: £70,000 a year to continue to reduce the use of bed and breakfast accommodation using a number of initiatives (including £1.3m to buy up to six properties for temporary accommodation) and help households gain access to private rented accommodation, replacing the Council's Rent Express Scheme.
• UBUS: £86,000 as a one off sum to continue to support the dial-a-ride community transport scheme that residents of any age who are stuck for transport, wherever they live in Stratford-on-Avon, can use.
• Shakespeare's England: £75,000 for three years to continue the funding of the Destination Management Organisation that supports the tourism industry (the second biggest industry in the district) and local economy within South Warwickshire.

Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader of the Council, says: "Setting the budget is one of the biggest responsibilities we have and is the result of at least 10 months' work. During the budget process we have continued to seek the views of the public, local businesses, staff, partners and of course Councillors to ensure that everybody's opinion has been considered before we finally make these important decisions. The priorities reflected in our budget have received strong support from this consultation.  

"This is the last year of the four year finance settlement from central government; for the first time ever the District Council is receiving no revenue support grant. That said the budget is balanced with a modest contribution to our reserves. A key point people really do need to understand is that although our reserves are currently £9.2 million, reflecting our prudent and sound financial management in anticipation of the challenging times ahead, over the next five years these are forecast to reduce to £2.6 million. In reality our capability to use reserves to fund our activities ends in four years (2023/24).  

"Given the reductions in government support and the budget pressures, there is the need for a modest increase of 1.5% Council Tax, equating to an increase of £2.05, but this is significantly less than the £5 maximum increase allowed by central government. We can deliver this through the sound financial management of the District Council's resources. 

"We are committed to keeping any increases in Council Tax to a minimum and I can assure you that this budget represents real value for money.  This level of Council Tax will be the lowest within Warwickshire, and will be amongst the lowest 10% of district councils in the country."

Council Tax Resolution 2019/20

Total Band D Council Tax