A ONE per cent increase in its share of the council tax has been approved by Stratford District Council for the year 2018/19 at a full council meeting.
It means that for an average band D property in Alcester or Studley the district’s take of the tax will rise to £137.07.
The increase is much less than the recommended amount and a third of the rate of inflation and equates to an increase of less than 3p per week.
Taken together with the increase in take from Warwickshire County Council (4.99 per cent), Policing (6.25 per cent), plus an average of parish/town precepts (1.51 per cent) the council tax bill for a Band D property will be £1,763.96, a 4.69 per cent increase over the 2017/18 figure of £1,684.92, meaning householders will have to find an extra £79.04 per year.
The authority has also budgeted for support for the homeless, earmarked £100k support towards an Economic Development Strategy and an additional £78k for the Planning Policy Unit.
Money has also been set aside for extra security measures at public events, and into help to extend broadband reach and £25k to mark the centenary of the ending of the First World War on November 11, 2018.
The good news for Studley is confirmation of £50,000 for the preparations for Compulsory Purchase Order of Priory Square, a Lib Dem proposal.
Councillor Chris Saint, Leader of the Council said: “The priorities which have been identified by the public from our Citizen’s Panel budget consultation, have been reflected in our budget proposals for the prevention of homelessness, future economic development work and additional security measures for public events.
“There is also budget provision for broadband for hard to reach areas in our district, thanks to an improved final Government settlement and for the celebration of the centenary of WW1.
“And in a show of cross-party support we are also adopting a Lib Dem proposal to help facilitate the CPO of Priory Square in Studley.”
Where the money goes on a Band D property:
Stratford District Council – £137.07 – 7.8 per cent of the total.
Warwickshire County Council – £1,363.68 – 77.3 per cent of the total.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner – £203.98 – 11.5 per cent of the total.
Average parish/town precept – £59.23 – 3.4 per cent of the total.
