14/12/09 - Swindon Council Tax Consultation

Council Tax rocketed a dsigraceful, wallet busting42% in just 3 years when Labour ran Swindon Council. Local residents were furious and kicked the majority ofthe failing Labour Councillors out of office.

The Conservativesthen took control ofSwindon Council in 2004 and we have kept Council Tax inline with inflation. This has been achieved by cutting waste and mismanagement and focusing on delivering value for money.

We are working on draft proposals for the 2010/11 Council Tax and you have an opportunity to have a say.

The first part of the budget consultation pages arelive: www.swindon.gov.uk/budget2010

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, "As a fellow local resident I fully understand and share the need to keep Council Tax fair and affordable. Whilst Labour have always been happy to send Council Tax rocketing, we have always done everything we can to deliver value for money.''

The Councils Budget and Council Tax for 2010-2011

Background Information

To pay for the services it provides, Swindon Borough Council receives grants from the Government (and redistributed business rates) and raises its own income from fees and charges for optional services. The remainder of the funding we need comes from Council Tax.

Councils have three types of expenditure:

• Revenue (running the council). This is raised from government grant and Council Tax, and is used for running and maintaining council services such as refuse collection, recreation and leisure.
• Capital - (investment). This is raised mainly from borrowing, Government capital grants or money released through the sale of council land or property, and is used for projects such as the new library, new schools and new roads.
• Housing Revenue Account (providing low cost affordable housing). Funding is also allocated separately for council housing and is raised through rents and Government subsidy. Consultation on rent setting is carried out as a separate project during December and January each year.

Councils are not able to move funding between these accounts.

Where the Council Spends its Money

Gross Expenditure 411.2m

The Councils Financial Situation for 2010-2011

Local councils across the country are facing significant financial challenges. The proportion of council funding that comes from government grant has steadily declined over the last few years and this trend has continued for 2010-11, with grant increases below the level of inflation.

Funding Available 2009-2010 411m