THE decision not to increase Torridge District Council’s share of council tax beyond the level of 1.99% was made at a full council meeting last week.

The decision limits the increase to £2.90 per annum for a Band D property, pushing it up to £148.66 to pay for all the services the council provides.

This is 40p per day as the council will only retain approximately 9% of the overall amount collected.

The proposals put forward by central government gave shire districts the option to increase council tax by £5 or 3.43% for the coming year.

Central government had previously offered financial grants to those who limited any increases in council tax but this is no longer in practice.

But members of Torridge District Council voted to keep the increase below the 3.43% level.

ouncil leader Cllr Jane Whittaker said: “The nature of future funding for all the services we deliver will change significantly over the next few years.

“Although the council will be able to retain more revenue collected through business rates, other grants are being significantly reduced.

“So, to manage these changes and any potential shortfall will be challenging.

“However, we have also tried to limit the burden on our council tax payers by not increasing the amounts for next year beyond that which is necessary to protect and maintain effective front line services, those which we know are essential to Torridge residents.”

Deputy leader Cllr James Morrish said: “The work continues on bringing even greater customer focus to what we do through our Transformation programme.

“Part of this strand is also concerned with rationalising the way in which services are delivered by introducing locality officers, reducing the number of buildings we occupy, and smarter working.

“Through all of this we will be able to not only reshape the way we will be working in the future but also effectively manage the impact of significant reductions in grants from central government.

“We have worked hard to limit the impact on council tax payers, which is reflected in this minimal increase in council tax for next year, despite the option for higher increases being sanctioned by government.”