Council Tax set to rise by just under 10p a week in West Suffolk

People living in West Suffolk are set to see a rise in their Council Tax for the forthcoming year with those living in a Band D property expected to have a raise of £4.95 for the year … just under 10p a week.

It’s set to be ratified by the council when they meet on Tuesday, February 21, with money coming into the authorities’ coffers set to be used for a host of initiatives.

They include £300,000 to ensure pools stay open despite soaring utility and energy costs, tackling the climate crisis to reach net zero by 2030, creating a new leisure centre in Bury St Edmunds, encouraging economic growth and prosperity, investment in waste and grounds maintenance teams, capital investment in open spaces and parks as well as museums and attractions, money for community chest initiatives and car park improvements.

The budget proposals for 2023/2024 highlights the work the council has been doing which will see an additional £1.75 million in solar income for the council as well as generating electricity to supply the council’s buildings whilst the solar is generating electricity and when not through another 100 per cent renewable energy source.

The authority’s cabinet heard at its meeting, Tuesday, February 7, there is even more demand for council services by communities and businesses who are feeling the financial squeeze. A package of measures has been put in place to support communities and businesses during the cost-of-living crisis.

As part of this the council, with partners, are collectively investing £500,000 to help reduce Council Tax by 100% for a year for means tested low-income families, including those in work. Around 11% of households under this initiative and others will pay no or reduced Council Tax.

Government announced in the Autumn Statement that councils were expected to increase Council Tax due to reduced funding and financial challenges. This recognised the funding pressures caused by the national cost of living crisis, inflation, fuel bills and the Ukraine war on the delivery of council services.

To help meet these expectations government increased the Council Tax levels that councils could ask for but West Suffolk councillors said they would not change their medium term plans and stick to the lower Council Tax level increase

Sarah Broughton, the deputy leader and portfolio holder for Resources and Property for West Suffolk, said: “This budget continues to invest in the prosperity, health and well-being as well as the environment of West Suffolk. It recognises the financial challenges of West Suffolk communities and businesses while dealing with the pressures this also causes for all public services.

“We have invested in helping the most vulnerable facing the cost-of-living crisis by reducing Council Tax, for many, including those working. The council has provided extra funding to make sure our swimming pools stay open even though others are already closed due to high utility bills.

“Not only have we been able to continue to provide high quality services, that meet the increasing demand, we are investing heavily in economic growth, as well as the health of our community through parks and leisure facilities. In addition we continue the £9 million package of measures to protect and improve the environment to reach carbon neutral by 2030.”