Budget 2009/10

A below inflation Council Tax rise, reducing the financial burden on pensioners, protecting vulnerable children and young people and supporting those volunteers who help keep our city safe. These are just some of Southampton City Council’s budget proposals for 2009/10 which were agreed at a full council meeting on Wednesday, February 18.

Southampton City Council delivers over 700 services and works hard to make sure these offer value for money and are of the highest possible quality. The 2009/10 budget will ensure this continues.

The city council will be lightening the load on pensioners by introducing a 10 per cent discount on Council Tax for households with people over 65. Special Constables - volunteer police officers who give up their time to keep help keep the city safe - will be able to claim a 100 per cent discount, while the 2.94 per cent rise in Council Tax is the lowest ever increase in the city’s history.

The Cabinet has listened to the people of Southampton and recommended increased funding across a range of front line activities. By working harder and smarter, the council will be able to put additional investment into services and support that residents have said they need.

Here are some of the key points from this year’s budget:

• A below inflation Council tax increase of 2.94 per cent for 2009/10, the lowest since its introduction

• 10 per cent discount on council tax for properties where all occupants are over the age of 65 and not in receipt of council tax benefit

• 100 per cent discount on Council Tax for Special Constables living and working in Southampton

• A cash boost of £800,000 to hire social workers to help protect the city’s children

• Continuing support for free swimming for the under-12s

• Continued funding for the ‘handyperson’ service, which offers help with minor household repairs for residents over 60

• Expanding the annual £6m roads resurfacing programme

• Major investment in the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) initiative.

The full details of the 2009/10 budget can be read in the documents below:

Conservative budget resolution 2009/10 (pdf 17kb)

Conservative budget resolution appendices (pdf 18.4kb)

Conservative budget resolution appendix 11 (pdf 10.8kb)

Conservative budget resolution appendix 12 (pdf 12.6kb)