Archived decisions

COUNCIL TAX PRECEPT 2002/03

1. At its meeting in February, 2002, the Authority received detailed explanations of its budget for 2002/03 which proposed net expenditure of £227.5m, representing an increase of 7.5%, compared with an increase in Total Standard Spending of 3.4%.

2. As a result of the Authority's budget strategy, the council tax for the year beginning 1 April, 2002 will rise by 27.3% on the current year to £75.15 for a Band D property, an increase of £16.11 per year (equivalent to just under 31p per week).

3. The Authority has made strong representations to the Government about the result of this very harsh settlement which means that there will be less to invest in new initiatives to meet specific local needs, less to provide for the necessary investment in information systems and other new technology, less available to maintain and improve the police estate, and a reduced ability to maintain services at an acceptable standard.

4. Despite those representations, there was no material change in the final settlement figure which has resulted in the significant increase in the precept as outlined above.

5. In addition, the Government announced the abolition of the Council Tax Benefit Subsidy Limitation Scheme, which requires precepting authorities to contribute to the costs of council tax benefit subsidy if their precept increase is over a certain threshold and the Authority has been required to make such a contribution of £28,000 in the current year.

6. Indications are that police authorities throughout England and Wales are facing similar increases in council tax precepts.

4IR04202