North Devon Council freezes council tax for third year

It's been confirmed there will be no increase in council tax charged by North Devon Council for its services in 2013-14 and most fees and charges will also be frozen, including hourly paid car park charges.

The decision was approved by Full Council at a meeting on Wednesday 27 February. That is despite the council having to find £1.3m worth of savings to balance the budget, which is a result of increasing costs, falling income and significant cuts in government grant support. This will be achieved with no expected detrimental impact on services to customers, or any compulsory redundancies at this time.

Council Leader, Councillor Brian Greenslade, says: "I am pleased to report that, despite facing cutbacks from central government, we are able to freeze North Devon Council's share of the council tax. We have had to make some difficult decisions to balance our budget and we are facing tough times ahead, as further government cuts mean we have to find a further £1.4m of savings over the following three years."

Although North Devon Council collects council tax in the district, this is also on behalf of Devon County Council, Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service and town and parish councils.

From every pound collected as council tax, the amount North Devon Council gets is around 11 pence. A more detailed explanation of the breakdown will be delivered to council tax payers with their bills, which are due to be sent out next month.