Investment pledge as council tax rises by 2pc

KIRKLEES Council chiefs have agreed a two per cent council tax increase for 2010-11 – meaning a 36p per week rise for the majority of local households.

The Labour leader of the council, Mehboob Khan, said the extra investment would be spent on elderly and the young people.

He said: “This is a budget that protects and improves services to the vulnerable, while protecting frontline services.

“Money for existing services will be gained from efficiencies across the council, which we are doing in a structured way through the innovation and efficiency programme.”

The authority recently said that it was seeking to reduce the workforce by around 1,500 posts over the next three years, saving millions of pounds ahead of expected cuts in Government spending.

Coun Khan added: “We have protected the recession fund which has been responsible for putting Kirklees in pole position to benefit from the economic recovery, creating opportunities for local people through the Future Jobs Fund and apprenticeships, while funding events such as Festival of Light and others which have been responsible for attracting millions of pounds of inward investment.”

Approximately 170,000 Kirklees properties are subject to council tax. There are 77,400 in band A, 31,700 in band B, 29,600 in band C, 15,100 in band D, 10,700 in band E, 4,700 in band F, 1,900 in band G and 100 in band H.

Council tax levels for the coming year are based on a two-adult household.

Figures set out below include levies from the West Yorkshire fire and police authorities. Single-adult households pay 25 per cent less:

Band A: 2009-10, 915.58; 2010-11, 934.31; annual increase, 18.73; weekly increase, 0.36

Band B: 1,068.18; 1,090.03; 21.85; 0.42

Band C: 1,220.78; 1,245.75; 24.97; 0.48

Band D: 1,373.37; 1,401.47; 28.10; 0.54

Band E: 1,678.57; 1,712.91; 34.34; 0.66

Band F: 1,983.76; 2,024.35; 40.58; 0.78

Band G: 2,288.96; 2,335.78; 46.83; 0.90

Band H: 2,746.75; 2,802.94; 56.19; 1.08

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