Council tax freeze planned for Arun residents

Residents across Arun won’t have to find a penny more for their council tax in 2013/14 to pay for district council services as the authority looks to freeze the tax for a third year running.

Arun’s cabinet is expected to formally approve the freeze when it meets on Monday (February 11). The decision will then be ratified when full council sets the budget on February 20.

This will mean for an average Band D household, the district’s share of the council tax will remain at £161.37 a year – equivalent to just over £3 a week - with many households paying less.

Arun’s leader Gillian Brown said: “Despite the financial pressures we face we recognise that this helps the local community at a time when most people are feeling the impact of financial pressures.

“We have been able to make this freeze despite only getting a 1% grant from government because we are a financially stable authority and have made significant savings and efficiencies.”

But the recommendations for the coming year’s finances came with a health warning for the future.

“Given that Government Formula grant is reducing and there are continuing expenditure pressures, it is inevitable that Arun will need to find further savings going forward,” said Cllr Mrs Brown.

But Cllr Mrs Brown said the authority was well placed to meet the challenges coming in the next few years.

She said Arun would continue to protect frontline services and jobs wherever possible.

While Arun has capped its limit, residents may face an increase because of rises in precepts set by other authorities.