A BUDGET consultation exercise organised by Stratford District Council has found that 85 per cent of respondents thought it offered value for money with a Council Tax of £139.12 for a Band D property – four per cent lower than last year.
A total of 63 per cent agreed ‘it is important for the District Council to maintain current levels of service, even if this means increasing council tax by more than £5 a year.’
Residents most wanted to see an increase in the CCTV and Crime Reduction provision and a decrease in local economy and tourism promotion.
Financial support for the Fred Winter homelessness prevention project (72 per cent) was first choice for residents out of the new budget proposals, followed by funding for a Climate Change Strategy (53 per cent).
Overall, 64 per cent felt the quality of Council services was good overall.
Council Leader Tony Jefferson said: “We are now completing the investment in the CCTV system which reflects the top priority of residents.
“We are also pleased that our financial support for the Fred Winter Project and Climate Change Strategy Funding is supported.”
In all 455 questionnaires were returned from 997 residents surveyed on the District Council’s Citizens’ Panel in January/February 2020, representing a response rate of 46.1 per cent.
