Shropshire Council Tax frozen for fourth year running

For the fourth year running, Shropshire Council is freezing its share of the council tax bill to help residents manage their household bills.

Councillors agreed to a 0% council tax rise at the full council meeting on Thursday 28 February 2013. 

Members also approved the reduction in council tax for the former Oswestry Borough Council area (Band D down from £1,216. 58 to £1,164.72) and former South Shropshire District Council area (Band D from £1,216.62 to £1,164.72), bringing them in line with the other former district and borough council areas.

Broken down into its constituent parts, the total bill for an average Band D council tax payer in Shropshire will be: Shropshire Council £1,164.72 (78%), Fire £88.66 (6%), Police £178.72, (12%), Town / Parish £56.08 (4%).

Your tax also goes towards vital services provided by West Mercia Police Authority, Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority and your local parish council or town council, as well as Shropshire Council. 

Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, said the council had frozen council tax since 2010 as councillors wanted to do all they could to help those who are struggling financially as the recession continues to bite.  He said: 

“I am delighted that we have, yet again, been able to freeze our element of the council tax bill for the fourth year in a row.  We have also equalised downwards the council tax across all former district and borough council areas.  So residents in the former Oswestry Borough Council area and South Shropshire District Council area are now paying less, and in line with the rest of the county. 

“This has been an incredibly challenging time for everyone and we have done our utmost to ensure that we protect the most vulnerable and support our key business sectors in Shropshire.  This is why I am absolutely determined to keep council tax as low as possible to help residents and businesses through this economic downturn. 

“We have been working extremely hard to make savings by reshaping our organisation, making it as efficient as possible to keep council tax bills as low as possible.  As leader of the council, it’s my job to make sure that every pound of your hard-earned money will be spent wisely.

“This past year has been tough for many people and I hope this freeze goes some way to helping those who are feeling the squeeze.

“Shropshire residents deserve the best their council can give them, and we owe it to the people of Shropshire to ensure we give them a truly efficient council, offering real value for money, without sacrificing the quality and range of the many important services we offer. 

“Ip&e, our new company, will also be able for the first time to trade for new business in a way which Shropshire Council cannot.  This will give it the opportunity to create ‘public’ profit, which will be invested back into Shropshire to improve services and facilities for our local communities, in ways that local residents have said are important to them, without needing to increase council tax. 

“We want to ensure Shropshire residents receive services and information in the most cost-effective way.  So this year we have decided to have an online version of our council tax leaflet which explains in more detail where your money goes and where you can find out how to get support in paying for your council tax.  By doing this we have saved over £6,000.” 

If you want to find out more about your council tax you can call 0345 678 9002, or if you are entitled to council tax support call 0345 678 9001.  The online version of ‘Your Council Explained’ will be available later in March.