LOWEST COUNCIL TAX IN
WEST YORKSHIRE
01 MARCH 2006
From the WMDC Press and Communications Office
Wakefield
District residents will pay the lowest council tax in West Yorkshire and one
of the lowest taxes in the country following today's budget setting meeting.
Council
Leader Peter Box said he had focused on the services local people say matter
most to them, with the environment, a dynamic local economy and public
safety the priorities.
The
Council agreed to an increase of 3.5%, equating to an increase of
approximately 41 pence a week in a Band A property, or £21.50 in a full
year. The national average proposed increase is 4.3%.
Councillor
Box said: "Our aim is to ensure we give residents value for money and
continuously improving services.
"This
budget is about local people and their communities. Our emphasis is on
improved ways of working, helping to create safer and cleaner places,
helping young people in education and protecting those people who are most
vulnerable.
"We
are continuing to invest in those services which people tell us matter most,
but this has also meant us taking some difficult decisions on where that
money is coming from."
Councillor
Box announced that a restructure of the Council will help save money, with a
smaller corporate management team, a reduction in the numbers of heads of
service and closer scrutiny of the use of agency and temporary staff.
He
added: "We have taken the opportunity to look at the whole structure to
realign services and budgets, and a new service area of culture will link in
with our new key priority of culture and sport.
"The
last three years has been a period of unprecedented and rapid improvement in
Wakefield, and these changes are designed to continue that progress."
Ref:
PR734
Date: 01/03/06
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