Tax increase is cost of a coffee

A council tax increase will add the price of a cup of coffee onto homeowners’ annual bills after councillors agreed a draft budget.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has called for a 2.28% increase in the tax rate it receives, which equates to £3.50.

It means the ABC tax portion for an average Band D property will go up from £154 to £157.50 in the financial year which starts on April 1 next year.

Cllr Neil Shorter holds the cabinet portfolio for the budget, and he said it means that residents in the borough will continue to pay the lowest council tax rate in Kent.

He said: “We continue to seek to earn money through our commercial approach, rather than relying on central government or our residents for this addi- tional income.

“I am confident that this budget indicates to residents that we are on the right path to economic prosperity across the whole borough and delivering the services that residents value.”

Meanwhile the council has set up a scheme to help businesses affected by the rise in business rates brought in by the government.

Businesses facing more than a 2% rate rise with a premises with a rateable value of less than £200,000 will be able to claim back money as part of the scheme.

Cllr Shorter added: “I am pleased that we have been able to undertake additional research to enable us to extend the support available.”

To make a Local Discretionary Rate Relief Application visit www.ashford.gov.uk/apply.

What do you think of the 2.28% average increase? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Cllr Neil Shorter