Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet agreed at its meeting last night to recommend to full Council an increase of 1.95% in its Council Tax for 2019-20.
The proposed increase forms part of the recommendations to full Council in relation to its Budget for 2019-20 to 2020-21. A balanced budget of expenditure and income is forecast over this period, however the report highlights that great uncertainty exists in relation to government funding for the last two years of the three year plan.
Councillor George Adamson, Leader of the Council said “Our budget proposals this year once more ensure that the services provided to our residents are not affected by further reductions in government support and the uncertain environment in which local government works.
“I am more than pleased to announce that despite ongoing government reductions in funding, and added cost pressures in providing services, there will be no service reductions or redundancies arising from our budget.
“In order to do this unfortunately we need to increase the level of Council Tax in the District. Nevertheless we have strived to keep this below inflation and the increase is lower than the majority of our neighbouring authorities and the government threshold of 3%. The increase works out at only 7 pence for the average household per week.
“In relation to our neighbours the Council was instrumental in a successful Business Rates Pilot application for 2019-20 and although the benefit is only for one year it will provide in excess of £12 million additional resources for the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent area.
“On a similar positive note, work continues to progress on the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Village and the future of the former Rugeley Power Station Site.”
The final decision will be made at the next Council meeting, when budgets are discussed on 20 February.