Date:
Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “Following a constructive meeting yesterday [11 January 2024], I have today written to the Minister for Local Government, Simon Hoare, to confirm the support package from Government that allows us to set a budget next year.
“The government considers that an increase in Woking Borough Council’s proportion of Council Tax of up to 10% from April is appropriate and proportionate. Alongside the service changes and staffing reductions the council needs to make this will allow us to live within our means in future.
“I know residents will find any increase difficult in the current economy. It is not an increase that I want to make, but is necessary to ensure the council can set a balanced budget. However, Woking Borough Council does receive only a small proportion of the Council Tax paid by local people. The overall increase will be 1% on the bill. The average Band D property will pay 50p more a week.
“There is already support in place for those who find it difficult to pay their Council Tax and the council will put further measures in place to support those in serious hardship.”