Laura Sharman 07 February 2017

Surrey scraps plan for 15% council tax increase

Surrey Council County has announced it is abandoning proposals to increase council tax by 15% and has instead budgeted for a 4.99% rise.

Council leader David Hodge has recommended the authority implements the 4.99% increase, the maximum level without the need to hold a referendum.

Mr Hodge said the decision was made following intensive conversations with the Government.

'The Government has listened and we believe the Government now understands,' he said. 'We are therefore willing to take a risk that a solution will soon be found to the issues that all councils face.

'However if there isn't any progress in finding a solution to the adult social care crisis, our situation will become untenable.

'Given this, I believe that this year we do not need to ask residents to pay council tax above 4.99%.'

Simon Edwards, director of the County Councils Network, said: ‘The situation for all county authorities, such as Surrey, is made worse by the historic underfunding of rural areas and higher demand for care services, forcing residents to pay higher council tax for fewer services compared to urban areas.

‘To help county authorities, Government must now deliver new funding for social care in the March Budget. Alongside this, it must bring forward its review council funding to provide genuinely fair resources for Shire Counties.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Advisor, Children and Families Hub - 10 Month FTC

Essex County Council
£24395 - £31131 per annum + + Benefits Package
Family Advisor, Children and Families HubFixed Term, Full Time£24,395 to £31,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Shovel Driver Plant Operative

Essex County Council
£23344 - £27033 per annum
Shovel Driver Plant OperativePermanent, Full TimeUp to £27,033 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adoption Social Worker - Chelmsford - part time

Essex County Council
£34712 - £46751 per annum
Adoption Social Worker - Chelmsford - part timePermanent, Part Time£34,712 to £46,751 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Service Desk Analyst

Telent
Negotiable
Service Desk Analyst Location
Recuriter: Telent

Legal Services Manager - Children and Education Team

Essex County Council
Up to £82992 per annum
Legal Services Manager - Children and Education TeamPermanent, Full TimeUp to £82,992 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.