COUNCIL TAX RISE LIMITED TO 4.5 PER CENT

This is in line with a strict three year financial strategy designed to keep Council Tax increases to a minimum whilst protecting key services to the public.

Describing it as a budget which could be summed up by one word - "Prudence"- Councillor David Logan, Cabinet Member for Finance & Assets, said the extra cost during the whole year in the Council Tax for Wealden District Council would be 6.47 for a band D taxpayer.

"If we were to play gesture politics, and artificially reduce the increase to say 3 per cent, the effect on the Band D taxpayer would be a saving of 2.15 '“ less than the price of a pint. But the effect on the Council would be dramatic in terms of the sustainability of budgets and services," warned Councillor Logan.

Although Wealden collect the Council Tax on behalf of a number of authorities, the proportion which pays for Wealden District Council services is 11 per cent.

"For the typical taxpayer who pays their bill by direct debit in 10 equal monthly payments, this means that in effect, your first payment covers the Wealden bit, the next two payments cover Parish, Fire and Police precepts, and the remaining seven payments go to East Sussex County Council," explained Councillor Logan.

The Budget was seconded by Councillor Nick Ellwood who said that every year, councils had to face increases in salary, pension, fuel and insurance costs:

"There is no alternative. Either Council Tax keeps rising or you have to slash heavily into services," he said.

Wealden's 17 million budget pays for refuse and recycling, protection of the environment through the planning process, one of the best housing services in the country, four leisure centres, environmental health, support for businesses and tourism and the administration of benefits. This year the Council will also be looking to develop new quality of life projects making Wealden a Cleaner, Greener, Brighter place; and improving rail and road links within the district.

The Budget was approved at the meeting of Wealden District Council on Wednesday , February 22.

An amendment to the Budget, put forward by Councillor Paul Sparks, sought to redirect some funds into specific renewable energy projects, while upgrading and enhancing opening hours for public toilets. The amendment would have reduced Wealden's own annual Council Tax bill by 15 pence. It was defeated by 19 votes.

The average Council Tax bill for a Band D resident in Wealden in 2006/7, including contributions towards the County Council, parish/town council, Sussex Police Authority and East Sussex Fire & Rescue, will be 1,406.66.