Small rise for Biggleswade council tax payers

Biggleswade Town Council agreed to raise its council tax precept by one-and-a-half per cent at a meeting on Tuesday, January 22.

Councillors believe that the rise – equivalent to an extra £1.59 a year for a Band D property – is necessary due to the lower level of funding from council tax.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Madeline Russell – who first suggested the figure – said: “The town council’s council tax base has reduced by 691 homes because of the government’s abolition of council tax benefit and the burden being passed to local government since no council tax will be paid for those homes.”

“The extra £16,000 raised will be used to improve the cemeteries and car parking in the town. For a Band D property annually it works out at less than the cost of half a pint of beer.”