Teignbridge Council plans to freeze council tax from April and delay the January VAT rise on council services.

On the day the Government sets out its Comprehensive Spending Review, telling the nation how Government savings will affect the nation and the residents of Teignbridge, our council is pledging to do all it can to minimize the effect on its customers.  The review has been anticipated for some time, and Teignbridge has been carefully looking at its budget plans for next year with the aim of continuing to provide good quality, high value services to local people.

Through a good track record of low or no rises in Council Tax, Teignbridge has seen the lowest percentage increase in council tax of any Devon district over the past six years, providing the lowest cost waste collection service in Devon, and delivering a 2010/11 budget with £3.3M of savings over three years from last April.

Significant salary savings were made in April following the voluntary retirement of five senior managers and voluntary redundancy of one other, cutting the wage bill by £200,000 this year with long term ongoing annual savings in the region of £450,000.  An additional £50,000 was saved in an agreement with Torridge District Council to share a joint chief executive. And it’s possible both councils could save even more in future as they start a review to see how they could work together in other ways.  A planned rise in VAT from January was announced by the Chancellor earlier this year. However, Teignbridge plans to cushion the impact on its customers by absorbing the increase at least until April next year. The most noticeable benefit is that car parking charges and leisure centre prices will stay the same.

Councillor Alistair Dewhirst is delighted that Teignbridge is planning, for the second time since 2004, to freeze council tax next April.

Councillor Alistair Dewhirst added: “After talking to Council Leader Alan Connett I believe that Teignbridge is well placed to face the future.   However we are not likely to know for sure how the Government grant to Teignbridge will be affected until mid-November at the very earliest.” 

“We know that more money must be saved over the coming years and we’re already looking at how we could do that.   If village residents have ideas about this they can contact me or Teignbridge through an online consultation.   I am keen to hear villager’s views over the next couple of months as plans are made for next year’s budget.” 

Residents and businesses can take part in Teignbridge’s budget consultation by contacting Councillor Alistair or visiting www.teignbridge.gov.uk/budget11-12, emailing consultation@teignbridge.gov.uk, or calling 01626 215893