Exactly a year after Russia’s appalling invasion of Ukraine, Test Valley councillors met to discuss the council’s budget for 2023/24. Dressed in yellow and blue to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people and to raise money for their injured soldiers, our meeting was also dominated by the economic consequence of one of the world’s biggest gas suppliers waging war against one of its biggest grain producers. Because, just like any household budget, Test Valley’s finances have also been hit by high inflation, exacerbated by the conflict.
Thankfully our previous financial prudence as well as the decision to set up project enterprise, which has earnt the council an additional £8.5m over the last four years, meant we were able to table a council tax increase some 7% below inflation. The £5 rise on a band D property means an average bill of £158.91 for an entire year of Test Valley Borough Council services. At least £40 lower than the average for the rest of England. Not only to have your bin collected every week but to maintain the housing & homelessness, planning, licensing, countryside, parks & open spaces, environmental health, economic development and leisure services – as well as continuing with our ambitious plans to improve our town centres.
I do recognise though the impact that even a very small rise could have on the most vulnerable in our borough. Residents on the lowest incomes already receive help through our generous Council Tax Support Scheme but thanks to some additional government funding we have been able to go further. Delivering an extra £55 discount to households that are facing severe financial hardship. Cushioning them against the rising cost of living and increases from other precepting authorities.
The meeting also gave us an opportunity to announce a proposal to reduce the council’s carbon emissions generated from our fleet vehicles by 95% by switching the fuel in our bin lorries from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil. Using this biofuel does not require expensive vehicle changes and is completely fossil-free, fulfilling the pledges we made in our Climate Emergency action plan.
My thanks go to council officers and fellow councillors who’ve put so much work into the budget-setting process. Despite global pressures, our sound finances have meant we’ve been able to keep council tax low and maintain frontline services, whilst doing the right thing for the most vulnerable and our environment.
Cllr. Phil North
Leader of the Test Valley Borough Council
