Fareham's Tory councillors have set another record low budget.

This time a ZERO rise. 

The Borough Council's element at £140 for a Band D property remains almost the lowest in England.  Executive Leader Seán Woodward explained: "I am often asked how we achieve the holy grail of good services with a low council tax, despite a low government grant.

"My reply is always that we seek to do more with less, using innovative means to save money without damaging the frontline services on which our residents depend.''

Delivering his 11th budget speech, he said the average property in Fareham was band C which would continue to pay just £125 a year.  Borough Council services cost only 34p per day per household.

"Contrast that with nearest neighbour Gosport, which charges 44% more than Fareham despite receiving double the grant per head from the government," he stated.

Several districts in Hampshire hide their council tax rises by passing services to parish councils to run, but Fareham cannot do that as it has no parishes.  Nearby parish councils, Whiteley for example, have raised their tax by 250% in just 3 years.

"Most district councils receive far more in government revenue support grant per head of population than Fareham, yet we still have a low tax.

"Despite having a high tax rise, most are sacking staff and slashing services – we are maintaining and, in a number of cases, improving our services.''

Pressures facing the Council are similar to those experienced by many families, but on a larger scale:

– costs rising and income not increasing or, in the case of interest on savings, actually dropping.

The fall in interest rates, while good news for those with mortgages, has seen the Council’s income on its investments fall by up to £1,000,000 per year.  Every £40,000 lost equals around a 1% council tax increase to make up, so the fact that there is no increase is even more remarkable.

The Council agreed the following as part of the budget:

•£500,000 to a Matched Funding Account to which organisations in the Borough can bid to fund capital schemes.  For every £1 of council taxpayers’ cash, it means £2 to £3 of worthwhile schemes such as new school sports facilities, sports club houses etc.

•£15,000 for flashing 30mph speed limit reminder signs to use as requested by residents.

•£1.3m to the capital programme to enable refurbishment or replacement of sports pavilions and community centres.

Parking charges remain frozen for another year.

See PDF of the Budget Speech by Councillor Seán Woodward