We Love Watford

Posted by news desk in Local News, 9th February 2009, 5:12pm

Watford’s mayor, Dorothy Thornhill, has revealed that residents’ council tax will rise by less than inflation for the seventh year running.

At a meeting of full council, members voted in favour of the budget, which will achieve one of the lowest tax increases (one per cent) in Hertfordshire.

The average Band D householder will pay £253.50 to Watford Borough Council, which is the equivalent of an extra £2.50 a year, per household – less than five pence a week.

Thornhill said of the council’s decision: “This is the right deal for Watford residents. “The situation in the national economy has worsened and many of our residents face a tough year ahead.

“It is likely that we will once again turn out to have one of the lowest council tax increases in the country.
“This has been achieved through having clear priorities and good management. We owe it to Watford people to continue to be prudent and the council’s budget will deliver value for money services,” she added.

Watford will also pour additional investment into frontline services including environmental improvements, sport facilities, parks and open spaces, playgrounds and the Colosseum.

Nearby, St Albans District Council is aiming to have no increase in its own share of council tax, but there are other elements of the tax to home dwellers, including that from Hertfordshire County Council, which will take the overall rise to 3.5 per cent.

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