Valley's council tax remains the lowest in county

Ribble Valley Borough Council has announced that its share of the council tax will remain frozen for the seventh time in eight years.
Ribble Valley Borough Council's leader, Stuart HirstRibble Valley Borough Council's leader, Stuart Hirst
Ribble Valley Borough Council's leader, Stuart Hirst

It stays unchanged at £145.69 (Band D), and Council Leader Stuart Hirst, said he was delighted with the result.

He praised prudent management of the council’s finances allowing it to happen.

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He said: “This will be the seventh year out of the last eight in which this has been achieved.

“It means that our tax level remains by far the lowest in Lancashire and in the lowest quartile for all district councils nationally.

“This despite continuing increases from Lancashire County Council, the Police Commissioner and the overwhelming majority of other local authorities throughout the country.

“Over the last eight years national economic pressure has resulted in a reduction of over 40 per cent in our mainstream government funding.

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“This has meant our budgeting has been extremely challenging.

“Despite this the council has been able to maintain its core service levels to nationally recognised standards and achieve public satisfaction ratings averaging over 70 per cent, which is the highest in the region.

“This is a significant achievement reflecting many years of careful and prudent financial planning to the benefit of all Ribble Valley residents.

“I am grateful to all councillors, officers and staff throughout the authority for their continuing hard and dedicated work in making this possible.

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“I would like to pay tribute to them for continuing to deliver efficient and cost-effective services in difficult times.”

The council had set its council tax and budget for the forthcoming year at a meeting of the full council on February 28

*The Ribble Valley has been voted as ‘tops for resident satisfaction’ with 94 per cent of residents being satisfied with the Valley as a place to live through a Perception Survey in 2016

It also has the rating of ‘happiest residents in the UK’.... a rating of 8.2 compared to a UK average of 7.5 from the results of a Halifax Rural Quality of Life Survey in 2016.