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Council aims to deliver zero council tax rise

FOR the first time ever North Tyneside Council is aiming to deliver a zero council tax rise, to help residents in the current challenging economic circumstances.

At an Extraordinary Cabinet meeting last week, North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Mrs Linda Arkley, unveiled her Cabinet’s draft Council Strategic Plan and budget proposals.

She reassured the meeting that the council was already working hard to live within its means and to support the national government requirement for local government to contribute to reducing the public debt.

Mrs Arkley also confirmed that a £2.1m government grant was enabling the authority to set a zero percent council tax increase for 2011-2012.

“Bearing in mind the pressures Cabinet and I have had to face in balancing the budget - including addressing those budget pressures which have been reported as part of the 2010-11 monitoring - I believe it is a fantastic achievement that we can propose a council tax freeze for next year.

“All residents of the borough will benefit from these budget proposals - a balanced and stable budget which will also move us forward to face the challenges of the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .