Council Tax increase of £6.05 a year approved

A Council Tax increase of £6.05 a year has been approved by Wealden District Council.

The decision to increase the amount by 2.99% was approved by the council’s Cabinet Committee and ratified at a meeting of the Full Council this week.

It means households living in Band D properties will only pay an additional 12p a week for its share of the Council Tax for 2023/24, with other bands increased in line with the Council Tax formula.

Wealden council receives 9% of the Council Tax bill and that helps pay for refuse and recycling collections, planning, street cleaning, environmental protection, and free car parking.

The remainder of the Council Tax bill is shared to pay for a wide range of public services provided by East Sussex County Council, Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue and local town and parish councils.

Councillor Neil Waller, Wealden’s portfolio holder for Finance, said, “Wealden District Council has resolved to increase its share of Council Tax by 2.99% in 2023/2024 and for a band D property, this is an increase of just over £6.

“The current rate of inflation is above 10% and the Council is absorbing significant cost pressures to protect Council Tax payers during the current period of cost of living pressures.

“The Council operates a Council Tax Reduction Scheme for those facing the greatest challenges to pay their Council Tax.”

For more information on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme visit https://www.wealden.gov.uk/benefits/who-can-get-council-tax-reduction/