News Council tax
Council tax support cut
MAIDSTONE Council has deter- mined the level of council tax sup- port to be available to low income households from April 2014. The change follows the Govern-
ment’s decision to remove the na- tional council tax benefit system and replace itwith a requirement for local councils to develop their own scheme. Whilst pensioners have been pro-
tected from any change, overall fund- ing for the scheme was reduced as part of the wider package of welfare reforms, resulting in the council hav- ing to take some tough decisions. The council hasmaintained the key elements of the former national scheme to ensure that those most in need continue to receive a higher rate of support, but people on council tax support who are of working age will be asked to pay aminimum of 13 per cent of the bill in 2014-15, up from 8.5 per cent during this financial year. Cabinetmember for corporate serv-
ices Cllr Brian Moss said: “The coun- cil recognises this is a difficult time for many residents and has to balance the needs of claimants with the wider interest of the council tax payer and the funding available to the council. “The council is able to fund the dis-
count by changes it has made to dis- counts in other areas, such as those given to owners of second homes.”
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Residents’views invited on plans to cut budget
COUNCIL tax could be rising by up to 36p a month as Maidstone Coun- cil juggles to balance its budget.
The council has to raise additional income and reduce its spending, in order to achieve savings of £5.5m in the next five years. The council has plans to save £1.163m in 2014-15 and £600,000 in later years, but it still has to find an extra £3.762m by March 2019, as a re- sult of Government grant reductions. Residents are being asked to com-
ment on the council’s ideas – which include raising the council tax and putting up commercial rents – and make suggestions of their own. The council has a budget of £33.9m
and, so far, officers think they can raise £104,000 from new income sources such as planning application fees, sales of green garden refuse bins and commercial rents. They also hope to save £800,000 on
the cost of contracts for services and £259,000 in reduced staffing costs. To balance its budget next year, the council is also considering an average 36p per month increase in council tax and increases in charges for services
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where there is a direct charge to users. Council leader Chris Garland said: “The council has to find these savings because the Government has re- duced public sector spending to reduce the country’s level of debt, keep interest rates low and bring about eco- nomic recovery. “As a result, Govern-
ment funding to the council will reduce by at least 11.5% or £910,000 next year. At the same time we will be spending £806,000 to support economic and housing growth. Added to this, some services are costing more because de- mand is outstripping the savings that can bemade frommaking them more efficient.” Residents can comment on the bor- ough council’s plans by logging on to
www.maidstone.gov.uk/council/have -your-say. They can also take part in the consultation by calling 01622 602758 and asking for the council’s freepost budget consultation leaflet or by completing the leaflet at the coun- cil’s reception at The Gateway, King Street, Maidstone. The consultation ends on January
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