Guardian News
Cheshire East Council freezes Council Tax for second year running
9:00am Saturday 4th February 2012
CHESHIRE East Council is freezing its portion of Council Tax for the second year running.
Clr Wesley Fitzgerald, leader of the authority, has announced plans to keep the payment for borough services at same level as 2011 despite the tough economic climate.
Cabinet members agreed that the tax freeze could be facilitated with a £4.5million grant from the Government.
Provisional figures indicate that the 2012/13 budget is expected to be £246.2million at a cost of £1,216.34 per band D property.
However, this does not include the precept for Middlewich Town Council and Cheshire Police.
The authority has also made long-term plans to make amends for the cheaper Council Tax rates that Crewe and Macclesfield residents enjoy as they do not have a town council.
Clr Michael Jones, cabinet member for resources, said: “This council is committed to continuing to provide great value for money to the people of Cheshire East.
“I believe that everyone should pay a fair amount for the services they receive, including residents of Crewe and Macclesfield.
“Crewe and Macclesfield are the only unparished areas in the whole of Cheshire East and in view of this the Council, as the lead authority, will be levying a special expense on these towns from April of next year.
“These charges will cover those services which are being carried out by parish and town councils in other areas that are parished.
“It would be more desirable for these communities to have their own town councils in place so they can have representatives, appointed directly via the ballot box, to take responsibility for their local services and assets and help shape their future use more effectively.
“There is near universal understanding that parish and town councils can provide services best suited to their local communities to give optimum impact on the local environment.
“Due to the proposed Council Tax freeze for the coming year and to address the costs of the non-parished areas of Crewe and Macclesfield, Cheshire East Council will pay a grant to all parish and town councils, proportionate to the number of average band D households.”