Council take hike (From Barry And District News)

Council take hike

BARRY people look set to foot a big hike in their council tax this year year, with the average bill topping £700 for the first time.

The average household could be paying nearly nine percent more if plans discussed tonight are agreed at a Vale of Glamorgan Council meeting.

The 8.9 percent increase comes as a result of the authority's action plans for improved services throughout the Vale.

But it means the average Band D household will now be paying an extra £48.42 per year, taking it up to £592.38. And this does not include contributions to the police or community council precepts.

Last year, the average payment made by Vale families was £644, which included an average calculation of the police and community charges. If the levels were to stay the same this year - though as yet, this is unknown - it would mean the average charge would rise to approximately £701.32.

The budget has taken into account the failings found in Vale education in 2001. The authority has set aside £500,000 for an education action plan to improve funding to schools.

This is an attempt to raise the low standards blasted by a report published by school inspection service Estyn last year.

This year's budget has to take into consideration a series of new Welsh Assembly promoted initiatives for local authorities.

The Assembly settlement for the Vale shows an increase of just over eight percent, but much of this additional funding has been earmarked for responsibilities like free concessionary bus travel for the elderly and disabled, the transfer of preserved rights to income support and allowances for people in residential care homes.

Council leader Jeff James said: "After these are considered, the underlying increase is in fact 5.6 percent. This has to meet the cost of all pay and inflation increases, including the shortfall in funding teachers' threshold pay and the increase in the council's contribution to teachers' pensions."

He added: "I will continue to work with the Local Government Minister, Edwina Hart, to try and secure increased Assembly funding, so the Vale can enjoy real growth and continue to build on its improving services."