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Welsh council tax bills to rise by 4.1%
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"09/03/2009
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Council Tax bills in Wales will increase by an average 4.1% this year, more than 35% higher for Band D than the average 3% rise in England. The figures come from the annual Council Tax Survey from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) which is released today. The average Welsh bill will be £1,087, while for England it is £1,414. The level of increase in Wales for 2009/10 is £43.
The CIPFA survey, carried out in conjunction with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, analysed the council tax decisions of Welsh local and police authorities as well as community council requirements and provides a comprehensive and accurate examination of local authority finances in Wales for the coming year.
The 4.1% national increase that is passed onto the taxpayer is made up of a 3.9% increase in the local element of the tax and a 4.9% increase in the police element. The figures follow a tight Welsh Assembly Government funding settlement for local authorities and have been set within a period of continuing economic problems in the UK and around the world. The average national Welsh tax increase for 2008/09 was 3.9%, which means that, again the 4.1% increase for 2009/10 will be one of the lowest on record.
Maria Jones, Head of CIPFA in Wales, said:
“The current economic difficulties have left councils and police authorities in Wales facing critical decisions. It’s a real balancing act for finance professionals. Increasing demands for services within an environment of economic uncertainty reinforces the need for high quality financial management and advice that provides an effective and professional steer through this difficult period”
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