At last night's Budget Council meeting in the Vale of White Horse the Conservatives fought off calls from the Lib Dems to scrap the budget which would freeze Council Tax in place of plans that could have seen tax rises of up to 3.5% or services cuts. The first Conservative budget of the new administration fulfills many of the manifesto promises that were made in last year's elections. Council tax has been frozen, help is being provided to first-time buyers and more money is being put into community grants. Despite calls from the opposition to spend an extra £800,000, with no details as to how the money would be found, we have passed a sound budget that will put the Vale in a better financial situation for the future. The Lib Dems voted against the Cabinet's budget proposal, opposing every single spending plan. The Conservative budget, which was passed by a safe majority, now ensures that council tax will not rise for the District or County Councils along with Thames Valley Police Authority and will guarantee local services continue. The major achievements of last night's debate were:
- Council Tax frozen £116.69, 14th lowest in the country, lower than South Oxfordshire.
- Services protected there have been no cuts to frontline services to balance the budget.
- Nearly £½ million found in savings £463,900 have been found in savings this year.
- 2hr free parking continued the free parking scheme is now part of the core budget and fully funded for the medium term plan.
- Advice centres benefit from £15,000 extra the total increase in grants to advice centre are 16%.
- £100,000 capital grants scheme increase from £80,000 in the previous Lib Dem budget and all to be allocated by local councillors.
- £500,000 scheme to help first-time buyers matched funding £250,000 from Vale, £250,000 from Catalyst Housing Group. Loans to help families into home ownership.
- £5,000 young achievers award to encourage youth excellence.
- Funding for free public wi-fi in all town centres across the district, £19,000 one-off capital spend.
- Up to £4.5m set aside for infrastructure projects whilst we continue to support growing communities through service improvement we have set aside the bulk of New Homes Bonus for specific projects tailored to local communities.