Bath & North East Somerset Council will make efficiency savings of £2.1 million so that investment can be made in frontline services to support businesses during the recession, improve street cleaning, and cut carbon emissions, amongst other priorities.

A Council Tax rise of 3.50% has been approved which is likely to result in the Council charging a level of Council Tax below the national unitary authority average. The 2009/10 Bath & North East Somerset Council Tax bill for a Band D property will be £1,172.54, an increase of £39.66 from 2008/09.

The Council provides over 800 services - from education through to highways and social care - all for an average cost of £23 each week to each household. The budget, agreed by Council on Tuesday, 17 February 2009 sets out investment in key frontline services. These investments are in-line with priorities set out in the Council’s Corporate plan.

Highlights include:

• £150,000 to mitigate parking charges to support businesses and residents during the recession;
• £50,000 for measures to promote the local economy;
• £20,000 to support public events to bring in visitors to urban areas;
• £54,000 to further improve street cleaning;
• £482,000 initial investment towards fulfilling the proposed carbon reduction objective of 30% over 5 years, to reduce the Council’s carbon footprint and reduce costs;
• Up to £3 million capital investment (in addition to £2.5 million from Government) for the ‘Places for Change’ project that will enhance facilities for the homeless in Bath;
• £130,000 investment to ensure procedures are even more robust to safeguard children and to meet Government requirements following the Baby P case;
• £20,000 per annum to fund free concessionary internet usage at libraries.

Bath & North East Somerset Council also collects the tax required by the Police, Fire Authorities and Parishes, although it has no control over the amount set by these bodies, which makes up the total increase. With a Police Authority rise of 4.50%, accompanied by Fire Authority and parish increases, the average total rise is 3.63%; this additional tax brings the overall average bill for a Band D property to £1,422.62

More information is available in the Council Tax Guide for 2009/10.

Further information and services

• Pay on-line any time you want
• 24 Automated Telephone Payments service - 0845 1204 330
• All methods of payment

• Account Enquiries
• Council Tax Exemptions and Discounts, including Student information
• Council Tax Charges

• Revenues and Benefits Service Standard
• Revenues and Benefits performance monitoring
• Customer Services - how, where and when to contact the Council

Council Tax relief for Armed Forces on operations

This Council Tax relief is being handled directly by the Ministry of Defence. For more information and details please visit the Government News Network website.

The Council's Budget

Details of where the Council's money comes from and on which services this money is spent is listed on the website. If you would like further information about the Council's budget then please write to:

The Strategic Director of Support Services,
The Guildhall,
High Street,
Bath,
BA1 5AW

Or email: finance@bathnes.gov.uk