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GOOD NEWS FROM THREE RIVERS |
 Young people and pensioners are among those expected to benefit from the District Council budget announced on Tuesday, 19 February. An increase in key services with a zero per-cent rise in the District Council component of Council Tax for the coming financial year (2008/09) has been made possible in part by efficiency savings of £1,175,000. The freeze on the District Council component of the Council Tax represents a reduction when inflation is taken into account. Three Rivers District Council Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Richard Struck, said: "The Council is in a very strong position financially and this budget is sustainable- which means stability and low increases in the coming years. Anti-social behaviour and health are two key areas which will see additional services in 2008." The financial plan for 2008/09 includes a number of new initiatives including: Funding for a new community safety role to help reduce anti-social behaviour;a pilot for free gym sessions for secondary age school children, following a recommendation from the Youth Council.Continuation of free swimming for young people during the school holidays, including at the Woodside Pool when it re-opens,a feasibility study into opening the Council's customer service centre in the evenings and on Saturdays;extra funding to enable the Gade View Gardens re-development to progress more quickly;innovative play equipment for the over-50s to help increase mobility.The District Council ran a survey recently in which 84% of respondents said that they would accept a 3%-6% increase in Council Tax in order to keep services at either the current level or to increase them slightly.
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