Wealden council tax freeze proposal from Lib Dems defeated

Wealden residents are to see their council tax bills rise again this year, with the district council’s share of the annual bill for an average Band D household increasing by £5 per annum. 
Leader Bob Standley introduced Wealden District Council's budget for 2020/21Leader Bob Standley introduced Wealden District Council's budget for 2020/21
Leader Bob Standley introduced Wealden District Council's budget for 2020/21

The increase to council tax of 2.6 per cent comes as part of Wealden District Council’s annual budget for 2020/21, which was agreed by members at a meeting today (Wednesday February 19).

With this increase, the council is expecting to run a budget surplus of £245,000 in 2020/21, with the money to be put into the authority’s general reserves.

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Introducing the budget, Conservative council leader Bob Standley said: “The council’s finances are in a strong position and as often repeated this is not by accident but by a prudent approach and ensuring the services we deliver to our residents are as efficient as possible.

“I took over the financial portfolio in May 2007. The net cost of services then – excluding capital expenditure from revenue  – was £17.77m.

“The equivalent figure for 20/21 was £17.752m. That is £18,000 less. We are delivering a good range of services for less cost than in May 2007. 

“If you take inflation into account that is an extra £3.484m in savings. I think that is a remarkable figure and one I think our residents should look at very carefully. 

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“It is a record that this council should [be] – and is – proud of.”

Despite the surplus, Cllr Standley (Con, Frant and Wadhurst) warned the council faces financial uncertainty in the coming years and currently expects to have to find savings of £500,000 each year from 2021/22 to 2024/25.

These savings predictions are based on annual increases to council tax throughout this period.

Liberal Democrat councillors, however, argued that the benefits of this year’s surplus should be passed on directly to residents, arguing for a freeze on council tax rises this year. 

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Cllr Paul Sparks (Lib Dem, Uckfield East) said it should be done in light of the cost of the failed Wealden Local Plan, which was formally withdrawn as a result earlier in the meeting.

Put forward as an amendment to the Conservative-controlled council’s budget, the Lib Dem proposals would have seen £328,000 drawn from general reserves to fund it.

Cllr Sparks said: “Our chief financial officer stated that we need a minimum reserve level of £1.95m [but] our current general fund balance is £6.96m. 

“I am recommending that we transfer a modest £328,000 so that a council tax increase is not required. 

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“In view of all the issues our residents will face as a result of our failed local plan we should not also demand an increase in their council tax.”

The amendment was – perhaps unsurprisingly given the political makeup of the council – heavily defeated in a vote, but not before coming in for criticism from Cllr Standley. 

He said: “I’m quite surprised by this amendment given Cllr Sparks’ professional background. He seems to be missing a very vital fact.

“As I said in my speech, yes we have got a surplus, but not enough that it requires £328,000 taken out of it. 

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“That would be £328,000 every single year from now until the end of this council. Once you take it out you can’t put it back in. 

“You are using your savings to pay the daily bills and that just does not make any sense.”

The rise in Wealden’s share of council tax comes alongside increases to the amount collected by Sussex Police, the East Sussex Fire Authority and East Sussex County Council (which takes the lion’s share of the council tax bill).

Several town and parish councils around the district have also increased their share of council tax  – known as the parish precept – this year. 

As a result of the increases, the amount an average band D taxpayer pays each year will sit somewhere between £1,995.97 and £2,163.30, depending on which parish that resident lives in.