Latest Events (6th March)

After a brief break from the Blog, please see summary of recent events, past and present:

Full Council - Monday 4th March

Full Council was dominated by the setting of the council tax for the coming year.  At the end of the debate, a 3rd consecutive freeze was voted through by the current administration in line with the current Government's advice.

As councillors we were put in a difficult position as the medium term financial plan advises an annual rise of 2.5% and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee voted in favour of a 1.9% rise.  However, on the night, some of those who voted for a 1.9% rise had decided to change their minds.  Unable to ascertain the further information that had come to light since the original vote, this made our decision more difficult.

We don't want to have to increase council tax but we recognise that there could be problems in the future if it is not increased.  Compared to VAT, council rent increases and the bedroom tax, the difference of around 3p per week is small, though we are well aware that it is still an increase.

Our key priority is that residents get value for money through good services and we do not want to see these cut in anyway.

We will keep a firm watching brief.

On a lighter note we were treated to a lesson in economics by a senior member of the opposition which was entertaining, though very blinkered!

Environment & Development Services Committee - 7th March

This will be held in the chamber at 6pm.  Link to the agenda is below:

http://south-derbys.cmis.uk.com/south-derbys/Meetings/tabid/70/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/397/Meeting/1369/Committee/276/SelectedTab/Documents/Default.asp