Birmingham Council To Freeze Council Tax For Residents

Online, March 29, 2011 (Newswire.com) - For residents already living in Birmingham and for those thinking of buying a new home in Birmingham the plans will come as a welcome reprieve to cash stricken families and people moving into the area expecting to pay increased Council Tax rates in the city.

The Council is taking advantage of a new Government scheme that will reward Councils who keep their Council Tax rates low an additional bonus grant, which will come from a £650 million Government fund.

The council bill for a householder in a Band D property will remain at £1,113.67. Because of central Government cuts being made to Birmingham City Council's annual budget, this will ultimately mean that Birmingham City Council will see a £105 million cut in their overall budget, but could recoup around £8.3 million from the grant as a direct result of their Council Tax freeze.

However residents in Birmingham may have to fund higher costs for the fire service and West Midlands Police if they decide the level of precept that are added to local council tax bills. The West Midlands Police are seeing a cut in their budget of £60 million over two years.

Birmingham City has seen major regeneration over the past ten years including new shopping malls, restaurants and bars being built to attract more people into the city. New developments in Birmingham that have been built are also proving to be popular with new residents moving into the area.

Notes to Editors:

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