Sedgemoor Distict Council leader Duncan McGinty has this week vowed there will be no cuts to services in the Burnham-On-Sea area as his council set a balanced budget for the coming year.
“We don’t have show-stopping headlines of cutbacks or doom and gloom – what we do have is a balanced budget, focussing on the positives and plans for the future,” said the leader, pictured here.
He was speaking at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday (22nd February), where members voted to approve the Council Tax and Housing Rents for 2017/2018.
The decision to set a balanced budget comes despite reductions in the council’s grant funding from central Government.
Cllr McGinty added that the council “has made savings of £340,000 last year and will make a further £230,000 in 2017/2018” but the council vowed there will be no cuts to services.
“We are following our long-term plan by the managed use of balances, as agreed by Full Council five years ago,” he added.
Council tax bills in the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area will increase by 3.4%, which is an additional £5 per year on a Band D property – or 9p per week.
The council also agreed to a 1.25% charge for the Somerset Rivers Authority whcih equates to £1.80 per year on a Band D property.
“Over the past year, members have taken prudent, forward-thinking decisions that maintain and improve services and save money.”
