Council tax levels set

Council tax charges for the coming year have been approved by Hertsmere Borough Council.

At the full Council meeting last night, 21 February, the council tax levy for the borough, town and parish councils for 2007/08 was set at an average increase of 4.9%, the equivalent of 15 pence per household, per week for a Band D taxpayer - an increase of just £7.86 for the year on the 2006/07 figure.

Of the total council tax you pay, part goes to Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire Police Authority, and to your local parish or town council, as well as the Borough Council. The split cannot be announced until Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Police Authority set their levies on 23 and 27 February 2007 respectively. However in 2006/07 it was 78% County Council, 10% Hertsmere Borough Council, 10% Police Authority and 2% town / parish council.

Leader of the Council, Cllr John Graham, said: "For an average of £128 a year - that's less than £3 a week - Hertsmere Borough Council is able to provide a wide range of services across its communities - from our award-winning parks; our activities and events for people of all ages as well as services such as waste and recycling collections. We are committed to providing quality services to our residents and are pleased that we are able to do this and yet keep the rise in council tax to below 5%."