News release
Council tax freeze approved
A council tax freeze at 2007/08 levels has been approved for West Lothian.
A council tax freeze at 2007/08 levels has been approved for West Lothian.
The Band D figure for 2008/09 will remain unchanged at £1,128.
Council Leader Peter Johnston commented: "Substantial increases in the council tax over the last decade have made this tax expensive for many people and I believe that this freeze will be warmly welcomed. We will be working to freeze the council tax for the next three years to help the pressure on family budgets."
The new council tax year starts in April with monthly payments staying at the same levels as 2007/08.
The council's budget for the new financial year totals £361 million - a real terms increase of over £15 million on 2007/08.
"We are putting more money into important local services such as police, nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, public transport, and care for children and the elderly," added Councillor Johnston.
"All school children will be provided with an excellent quality education and there will be more teachers employed to meet growing pupil numbers in West Lothian. Priority will continue to be given to improving the fabric of our schools through a programme of refurbishment and renovation of existing school buildings as well as the building of new schools."
"There will also be progress in delivering key commitments agreed between Scotland?s local authorities and the Scottish Government. These include moving towards the introduction of free school meals for all primary 1 to 3 pupils and providing greater support for carers. Locally we will be providing free milk for all school infants and, following a highly successful pilot last summer, we will be delivering free swimming for all school pupils during holiday periods and every Friday afternoon.
"We will also improve our community care services for people with disabilities and children and families and will increase spending on services for older people to properly provide for the growing numbers of older residents. Working in partnership with the voluntary sector remains a top priority and we will increase funding for voluntary organisations by 2.7% to ensure they are adequately resourced.
"Increased investment will enable the council to work in partnership with the police to more than double our safer neighbourhood units from four units to nine units, so making life more secure in our local communities. Measures will also be taken to provide greater training, education and employment opportunities for young people aged 16 to 18.
"Our public transport network is also set to benefit with an additional investment of £430,000 in our bus networks and the delivery of an hourly express service to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary."
Councillor Johnston concluded: "We have managed to increase spending and freeze the council tax at 2007/08 levels by working in partnership with the Scottish Government to reduce bureaucracy but also agreeing a £6 million programme of efficiency measures across the council. We will be focusing on getting the maximum return for every single pound in terms of better and more efficient local services.
"Looking to the future, we will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government and our community planning partners in West Lothian to improve services and deliver better outcomes for local people and communities."
West Lothian Council Tax 2008/09
Band New figure Annual increase
A £752.00 Nil
B £877.33 Nil
C £1,002.67 Nil
D £1,128.00 Nil
E £1,378.67 Nil
F £1,629.33 Nil
G £1,880.00 Nil
H £2,256.00 Nil
Ends
Date: 12-02-2008