19/02/07 - Cllr Stoddart, United At 3.4%
Councillors United on Council Tax
Conservative Councillors across the Swindon Region have today stood united on the 3.4% council tax.
The Council has minimised the impact on residents from Council Tax hikes for this year largely through local initiatives:
* £5m of efficiency savings
* £2m increased income
* £2m funding changes
* £1m growth in properties
* £1m collection of council tax arrears
Revenue Summary:
* Children's Services - £225k for additional staff to strengthen services , with promise of further £189k in 2008/09
* Environment & Leisure - £1.4m for new recycling service, rising to £2.1m recurring extra funding by 2009/10
* Environment & Leisure - £0.3m to cover the impact of demographic growth on grounds maintenance, street cleaning and highways
* Environment & Leisure - £0.1m to tackle vandalism and graffiti
* Housing and Social Care - £1.2m to address increased demand in services to older people and adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs
* Housing and Social Care £235k in preventative services to reduce costly admissions into care homes
Capital Programme:
The Council also has one of the most exciting capital programmes of any local authority in the country.
The planned spend up to 2010 is a massive £364m with only £42m (12%) funded from external borrowing.
The remaining funding will be from grants, capital receipts and developer contributions so has no impact on Council Tax.
Children's' Services:
* 0-19 Academy at Pinehurst costing £34m (£6m funded by Swindon Borough Council)
* 3 new primary schools in West Swindon - £18m
* £8.5m on replacement of unsuitable temporary school accommodation
* £4m on Lawn and Even Swindon primaries
* £3m on extended schools
Environment & Leisure:
* £26m on major highways works
* £9.6m on the new central library, where construction work has just commenced
* £4m to support implementation of the new recycling service
* £3.5m at Lydiard Park
* £2.9m on improving existing leisure facilities
* £1.4m to refurbish the Wyvern theatre
Housing & Social Care:
* £44m will be spent on improving the housing stock
* £2.3m on a new community facility at Pinetrees
* £2m on affordable housing
* £1.9m to improve older people's residential care homes
* £1.1m on new extra care sheltered accommodation
* £1m on provision of respite care for people with learning difficulties
Resources & Chief Executive:
* Repairs and maintenance to assets - £8.1m
* £1m on improvements to meet DDA standards
* £99m on primary and secondary infrastructure for the Wichelstowe development, including £6m on a new primary facility
Cllr Peter Stoddart,
"What a contrast to the 42% hike in just 3 years under the former Labour Council. It is no wonder 4 Labour Councillors have joined the Conservatives, Labour simply can not be trusted with our money."
