WYCHAVON’S share of the council tax bill could be frozen for the sixth successive year should proposals put forward by district councillors be accepted.
The freeze, if approved, would mean by next March £2.7million will have been kept in Wychavon residents pockets.
This was one of several proposals put forward by Wychavon’s executive board at a meeting February 1.
Another £1million was announced through Wychavon’s community legacy grants scheme, which will be open to applications early next year, while a pledge was made to continue to provide advice and support to residents struggling from the cost-of-living crisis, along with £50,000 of new funding.
In addition, £75,000 was proposed to recruit a financial inclusion officer as part of Wychavon’s Housing Service to offer support to those in financial difficulty.
And there will be £30,000 available to Parish and town councils to support street parties and events to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.
Environmental commitments include spending £210,000 over the next two years to begin phasing in using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to the councils contractor FCC Environment’s bin collection and street sweeping fleet.
This move, which could cut carbon emissions by 90 per cent compared to diesel, follows a successful trial of the fuel last year.
The proposals will now go to Wychavon’s full Council meeting on February 22 for final approval.
Council leader Coun Bradley Thomas said: “Wychavon already has the fourth lowest Council Tax charge of any district council in the country.
“By keeping our part of the bill on hold for a sixth year running we’re keeping money in residents’ pockets so they can spend it on their priorities, like household bills and essentials.
“Even though we’re freezing our part of the bill, as our other spending announcements show, we’re still committed to improving Wychavon by investing in our communities, supporting people when they need us most and protecting our environment.”
