Ipswich Homeowners Find Out Council Tax

24 February 2010, 06:13 | Updated: 24 February 2010, 06:18

Most Ipswich residents are set to pay under 9p a week extra for Borough Council services next year after Council leaders proposed a council tax rise of 1.94%.

The Conservative / Liberal Democrat joint administration has announced it wants to keep bills down as much as possible while still investing more in frontline services.
 
The recommended increase would mean Band B households paying a total of £243.32 a year for Borough Council services. The  majority of homes in Ipswich are in Band B or Band A. Band D households would pay an extra 11p per week for Borough Council services.
 
The recommendations will be debated today at a meeting of the Council.
 
The Borough Council part of the total council tax bill amounts to just 20% - the vast majority of the tax goes to Suffolk County Council and to the Police.
 
The Borough Council’s Deputy Leader, Councillor John Carnall, said: “We have been successful in keeping bills down by recommending an increase of well below the current rate of inflation. At the same time we have protected – and enhanced – important frontline services and made savings by improving the way we do things. We are not satisfied with the financial settlement from the Government but we owe it to residents not to inflict a big increase in their household costs.”
 
Liberal Democrat Group Leader Andrew Cann said: “We have an excellent record of providing quality services at the right price for the people of Ipswich. I think this is a good budget for residents and shows what can be done with a responsible and forward-thinking financial strategy.”