Suffolk and Norfolk Council Tax Freeze?

23 January 2013, 06:32 | Updated: 23 January 2013, 06:58

The amount we pay in council tax in Norfolk and Suffolk could be put on hold for a third year in a row.

Both county councils are looking at their budget and say they are holding to keep their fees the same.

Bill Borrett, acting leader of Norfolk County Council, said:

“These budget proposals reflect the difficult times we live in, not only for councils and the national economy, but for local businesses and our residents. The budget sets out to support Norfolk’s most vulnerable people, especially our older people and children, while giving a high priority to supporting jobs and the economy through targeted spending designed to help support local businesses

“Decisive action and sound financial management over the last two years is allowing us to propose an additional £8m of one-off spending to support vital services, and to invest in projects closest to the hearts of our communities.

“At the same time, we are proposing a Council Tax freeze for a third year running. This is not the time to ask hard-pressed families and people on fixed incomes to pay even more.”

Councillor Jane Storey, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for finance, said:

“The savings that are being proposed are significant and will require continued firm management in 2013/14 and future years.

“Last year we made a commitment to focus savings on the back office to protect, as far as possible, the frontline. This budget
 delivers on that commitment.

“Tough decisions have had to be made to address the speed at which funding has been withdrawn from the county council. Looking
 forward, it seems that further reductions will be coming our way.

“But as long as the county council is open with the public about the challenges and works with its partners and staff to find ways of overcoming them, we will be able to manage these changes.”