On Tuesday 9th February the Resources Committee recommended an increase of £5 (for a Band D property) in Tandridge District Council’s share of the council tax for 2016/2017. This decision will be put forward to Council on 11 February for agreement.

This is the first increase for five years and is a result of a change in government policy on grants. Over the five years of no increase in council tax, residents benefited from £2 million in freeze grant. 

This means Band D council tax will increase by £5, which is 10p a week for a wide range of services including recycling and waste collection, planning, street sweeping, housing, housing benefits and children’s play areas.

Surrey County Council, which provides services including schools, adult social care, children services, roads, fire and rescue and libraries, together with the office of the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, have both agreed to increase their Band D level for 2016/2017.

A Band D Council tax is split between the organisations as follows:

This gives an overall Band D Council Tax level of £1,687.09 for next year, which is a 3.55% increase compared to the current year. An average increase across the district including parish precepts is 3.63%.

Most people on income support, guaranteed pension credit, or very low incomes will continue to have the cost of council tax fully met by council tax support. Other people will automatically have their council tax support recalculated to reflect their revised council tax bills.

Chairman of the Resources Committee, Councillor Martin Fisher, said: “By managing our finances carefully we have managed to freeze council tax for the last five years and preserve our services, at a time when many councils have made cuts and increased council tax.

It is with great reluctance we have had to agree a small increase in next year’s council tax. This means services throughout the district will be protected and the extra provision for tackling fly tipping and more money for the maintenance and improvement of sports pavilions and other assets, such as park buildings and paths and emergency repairs caused by vandalism, will still be available.

All councils are facing a challenging financial situation, but we are working together wherever possible to increase efficiency and improve services to residents and businesses. We will continue to work even harder in the future by continuing our efficiency programme and finding new and innovative ways to raise income from other sources. We also have reserves which will still enable us to deliver our objectives and ambitions for the area.”