This decision creates considerable financial challenges for the council which faces a 30% cut over the next 2 years in its Government support grant for the next financial year – the grant will be £4.9m and the year after that it will drop to £4.2m.
This cut and other financial pressures such as inflation mean that the Council has set a budget to include savings of £4m over the next financial year in order to continue to balance its books.
But it will not increase Council Tax and will meet this Budget shortfall by other means.
Council leader Peter Fleming says: “More than half of the savings will be achieved through further efficiencies, generating additional income and sharing staff and services with other councils.
“Further savings will be made through changes to staff pay and conditions, finding new ways of providing or ceasing some discretionary services. But core services like our weekly refuse collections will continue.
“We know that many of our residents face tough economic times, which includes increased food, utility and energy costs. Despite a significant reduction in our income and additional costs, we have kept our council tax charge at 2010 levels. We recognise the challenging economic climate facing many people and we are determined to do what we can to help them."