Wednesday 16th February 2011

There's good news tonight for some residents in Chesterfield after North East Derbyshire District Council announced it is looking to freeze this year’s Council Tax bill.

The council will recommend at it's budget meeting tonight that there should be no increase to service charges for householders in the coming financial year 2011/2012.

It's confident that, even with the impact of the Government Spending Review, frontline services will be safe, and points to their cost cutting merger with Bolsover District Council which is expected to save £1.5m each year. This cash, saved by sharing some costs, will be spent on vital public services.

Cllr Graham Baxter MBE, Leader of the Council, said: "We understand that residents' finances are being squeezed from every direction as the cost of living continues to rise.

"Despite the massive spending cuts forced on us by Government, we are committed to helping relieve this pressure on household budgets by freezing the level of Council Tax for the coming year."

The recommendation will then go to a meeting of the Full Council for final approval on 28th February 2011.

Cllr Baxter added: "Like all local authorities, over the last two years we have faced tough financial challenges, and will continue to do so over the coming years.

"But by careful planning and close working with our staff, councillors, unions and neighbouring authorities, we will build upon the £2m worth of savings which have already been made.

"Our priority will remain to protect the services that local people rely on, whilst limiting the impact on our staff."

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