No increase in district’s contribution for the fifth consecutive year
East Devon’s share of residents’ annual council tax will remain frozen for a fifth year in a row.
It means a typical ‘band D’ home in the region will still pay the authority £121.78 in 2014/15.
In a budget speech, East Devon District Council leader Paul Diviani said he was proud of the authority’s cap on the charge, which is the lowest in Devon.
He added: “I intend again to recommend we freeze our members’ allowances for next year, as we cannot expect our people to understand why we should consider our circumstances to be any different from the majority of the population of East Devon.”
Turning to spending on capital projects, he continued: “A capital budget of £9.860million is proposed to be approved.
“The New Homes Bonus this year contributes £1.031million and, with the New Growth Point housing delivery accelerating, will augment the derisory interest return on our reserves.
“In the coming months, we will see 1,000 homes in Cranbrook occupied, the new railway station built, and a new all-through school comprising a further primary and the first secondary, which will be completed ready for September. The next challenge will be with 3,500 houses in stage 2 and the town centre.”
Despite EDDC’s freeze, the annual council tax bill could still rise for householders. East Devon’s share only makes up a small proportion of the total charge.
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