Real terms cut in Council Tax for second year running

Folkestone & Hythe District Council looks set to be the only local authority in Kent to keep its Council Tax increase under the rate of inflation. For an average Band D home it will mean an increase of less than 10p a week.

A meeting of Full Council on Wednesday (20 February) will set the council tax level for the year ahead after considering capital and revenue budgets. After calculating its total expenses, the council needs to raise £12,598,350 through Council Tax to pay for the services it provides.

While the latest Retail Price Index shows inflation at 2.5 per cent, councillors will be asked to agree just a 1.9 per cent rise.  This means that the average annual Folkestone & Hythe element of the Council Tax at band D will increase by just £4.95 to £263.34.

The final bill that people receive will also show the costs of services for Kent County Council, Kent Police Authority, Kent Fire and Rescue Services, and for town and parish councils, all clearly shown on separate lines.

We have worked hard to drive down costs, balance the budget, and continue to improve our award-winning services to the people of the district in the face of a tough economic environment.
We are investing in local services, including recently introducing a new team of Area Officers to tackle the things that matter to our residents, such as graffiti, fly posting, fly tipping, and dog fouling. 
We are receiving more independent, external awards for the quality of our services.  Yet our prudent financial management means that for the second year running, we’ve been able to contain the Council Tax rise to less than the rate of inflation; the lowest rise in Kent.

Cllr David Monk, Leader of Folkestone & Hythe District Council.

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