Council tax increase set to be lowest for 11 years

Council leaders have revealed proposals to peg back the council tax increase to 3.8% in 2008/09 - the lowest for 11 years.

The 3.8% increase was recommended at a meeting of Rochdale Borough Council's cabinet as part of a budget report setting out the main spending plans for the year ahead. These include proposals to invest in key services while keeping the rise in council tax down.

In addition, over £3.3 million will be saved by improvements in efficiency. A million pounds worth of these saving will be delivered through the council's partnership with Impact. Impact will help the council achieve these efficiencies across all services.

Cabinet Member for Fnance, Councillor William Hobhouse said: "We are continuing our policy of low council tax. For the second year running, we are proposing a council tax increase which is the lowest for over a decade. The 3.8% increase is good news for council tax payers and people who use council services because it has been achieved by providing greater value for money and significant extra investment in frontline services."

Frontline services to benefit will include:

An extra £1 million in 2008/09 for the home care service for older and vulnerable people.

An extra £870,000 for services for people with learning disabilities.

Cabinet member for health and social care, Councillor Dale Mulgrew said: "The budget will increase investment in the care and protection of the vulnerable. At the same time we will be stand firmly by our commitment to provide high quality care services whilst pioneering changes that will help many more people live independently."

There will be consultation on these budget and council tax proposals over the coming months before they come back to the Council for a final decision in February 2008.

Council tax helps pay for hundreds of council services including refuse collection and street cleaning, schools, crime prevention and care for the vulnerable. The top priorities for this year's council budget are increasing jobs and prosperity, making sure every child matters, improving community safety, creating a cleaner, greener environment and improving health and well-being.