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Inflation is leading to higher tax
A SLIGHT increase in council tax bills is planned.
Sandy Town councillors have decided that they will have to increase their precept – the proportion of the council tax bill that goes directly to the town council – to cover inflating costs.
From April this will rise by 12p per week for the average household.
Sandy Town Council spends its precept on services within the town. These include providing and maintaining street lights, recreation grounds, open spaces, play areas and sports facilities.
The money is also used to run the allotments, the public toilets, the town centre car park, CCTV around the town and the tourist information centre.
Mayor Susan Sutton said: “The council has worked hard to keep its costs as low as possible over the past few years.
“We have scrutinized our budget very thoroughly and we have made as many savings as we can.
“Our staff have not had an increase in their rate of pay since April 2009. However, our other costs have been increasing in line with inflation or even more in the case of fuel for example.”
In 2011/12 the town council received £91.62 or £1.76 per week from each Band D house in the parish. In 2012/13 this will increase to £98.03 or £1.88 per week.
Councillor Sutton added: “All town councils are being asked to take on more responsibilities and Sandy is no exception. The increase in our precept is necessary to allow us to continue our work for the community.”
The precept is separate to Central Beds Council’s portion of the council tax bill, which is being frozen for a year at the 2011/12 rate.
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Weather for Biggleswade
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
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