Council Tax in Fenland set to include three per cent rise next year

COUNCIL Tax in Fenland is expected to include a three per cent rise next year after finance chiefs shaved nearly a full percentage point off original proposals. And the council expects the following year the rise will be 2.5 per cent. Rob Bridge, corporat

COUNCIL Tax in Fenland is expected to include a three per cent rise next year after finance chiefs shaved nearly a full percentage point off original proposals.

And the council expects the following year the rise will be 2.5 per cent.

Rob Bridge, corporate director (finance), also insists the council is well on track to achieve �2 million in savings over the next two years.

He will tell Cabinet next week that "at this stage proposals have been identified to achieve the full �2 million over the next two years and so far around �500,000 has already been realised".

Mr Bridge said the savings will come from "reviewing staff structures, reviewing performance standards, changing service delivery methods and 'back office' efficiency savings".

Mr Bridge says this year the economic situation "has continued to deteriorate with reduced income in planning, investment interest and at the port.

"Cabinet received a report in September which forecast an additional income gap of �250,000, in addition to the approved use of �650,000 from balances to support the 2009/10 budget."

Recently senior manager had re-examined the situation and looked at options to "mitigate this potential income gap which has led to the reduction of the forecast shortfall to �150,000".