THE local authority has announced another council tax hike – one year after it raised rates across the county.

Buckinghamshire Council today announced a council tax increase from April of 3.99 per cent – this follows a 1.99 per cent hike in April last year.

This includes plans to raise the Adult Social Care Precept by 2 per cent.

This will mean a rise of £1.23 per week for the average Band D property.

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In another dramatic revelation, the council said it would reduce the budget for its sixteen Community Boards – groups populated by councillors, local representatives, group leaders and members of the public for various towns and villages across the county – from £3.4 million to £2 million, a reduction of £1.4 million.

Bucks Council said it would also use a one-off £1.36 million sum from the General Fund to “balance the budget” and “mitigate risk” in 2023/24.

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Council leader Cllr Martin Tett: “These are tough times and we are having to make really difficult choices as a result. There is no wriggle room in local authority budgets and I truly understand the pressures households are under with rising costs and increasing bills. I do want to stress that there is help available for people who are suffering severe financial hardship.

Bucks Free Press:

Bucks Council leader Cllr Martin Tett

“Due to careful financial management, I must say that Buckinghamshire is in a better position than many other councils – we are able to dedicate funds to key capital projects that I know our residents have asked us to prioritise and many other local authorities simply aren’t able to do that. We’re spending more than £100 million on improving our heavily used road network and we are committed to opening an extra Household Recycling Centre – residents have told us that’s what they want, and we have listened.

“I urge residents to look at all the details of our proposed budget on the council’s website. I know it’s not easy hearing about another rise in council tax but I really hope by looking at the details, the reasons behind our proposals are clearer. We have done our utmost to keep this necessary rise to the minimum and have managed to get this to a £1.23 weekly increase for the average Bucks household.

“I really hope as many residents as possible feedback their views to us on the budget plans through the scrutiny process.”

To take part in the draft budget scrutiny process, submit questions to democracy@buckinghamshire.gov.uk before 9am Monday. 

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