Levies facing East Riding Council

Did you know that a number of local agencies receive funding from levies placed upon East Riding of Yorkshire Council, over which the council has no control?

 

The setting of these levies by the agencies concerned is something that councillors have to take into account when considering the budget for the new financial year and, inevitably, have a major bearing on council tax levels.

                             

Increases in the levies year on year add to the budget pressures faced by the council and play a part in determining the levels at which council tax bills are likely to rise.

                             

For example, this year the council must contribute £343,172 to the Humberside Magistrates Courts Committee, an increase of 25.7 per cent on last year's levy.

                             

Other levies include:

- A total of £134,488 to the North East Sea Fisheries Committee, an increase of 10.8 per cent.

- A levy of £51,820 to the Hull and Goole Port Authority, which is a 6.2 per cent increase.

- The Environment Agency's levy for flood defence work was £1,657,929, an increase of 11.3 per cent.

- The contribution to the Coroners and Mortuary Service has been set at £491,722 for the coming financial year, which actually represents a decrease of 6.7 per cent.

 

It has been assumed that the levy set by Humberside Fire Authority will be for £15,892,940, which will represent a 14.4 per cent increase, whilst the Internal Drainage Board levy is likely to be around £806,002, a 4 per cent increase.

 

Clearly these levies are made for a range of valuable services provided to people in the East Riding, but concerns have been expressed by councillors over the high levels of increase and the impact that they will undoubtedly have on council tax levels.

 

However, if you want to keep your Council Tax down, the only party who agree with you are your local East Riding Conservatives.  If you vote for us in May you are voting for a low Council Tax party, safeguarding that which you hold dear but letting you spend your money how you see fit!   Don't be fooled by rash promises, Vote Conservative.

 

29 January 2003