Council Tax to be Frozen Again, as Frontline Services Protected

Bedford Borough Council's draft 2015/16 budget freezes council tax, saves valuable services and invests in the Borough's future. Mayor Dave Hodgson's Executive's proposals include a fifth straight council tax freeze, the protection of frontline services and investment in our communities, including an extra £1 million for pavement resurfacing. The budget includes £9.1m of required savings in the face of unprecedented Government cuts and rising demand.

The recent government funding settlement confirmed that the Council's main government grant has been cut by a third within just two years. However, the rigorous savings programme and business and housing growth reflecting a thriving borough has enabled a draft budget which not only proposes a fifth straight council tax freeze but continues the Council's record of protecting frontline services, with facilities and services which have been closed or cut elsewhere saved here in Bedford Borough, such as libraries, children's centres and weekly bin collections.

In addition, the budget includes extra investment in key areas, including more money for adaptations to enable disabled people to stay in their own homes and an additional £3 million investment in the Council's leisure facilities.

Cllr Michael Headley, Portfolio Holder for Finance said: "This budget includes a fifth straight council tax freeze, and also delivers major investment to enhance and improve local facilities and services. For example, not only have we safeguarded the future of leisure facilities, but we are implementing £3 million of improvements. We are also investing in our children's future, with the continuation of our ambitious programme to replace all temporary school classrooms with high quality permanent facilities."

The proposed budget will be considered by the Full Council at its meeting on the 4th February.

For further info, and comment from Mayor Dave Hodgson please visit his website here.