Caithness.org News Bulletins

Highland Councillors have agreed to contain a Council Tax increase in 2002-2003 to less than £1 per week. The tax will increase by 5.6% or £50 per year, giving the following charges: -

Band A, £626; B, £730; C, £835; D, £939; E, £1,148; F, £1,356; G, £1,565; H, £1,878.

The Council has also indicated that the increase should be held at £50 or less at Band D in the following financial year 2003-2004. In agreeing a total spend of £374 million for the new financial year - £73 million of which is raised by the Council Tax - they have allowed for an increase in spending of £30 million. This includes nearly £12 million expenditure which has been transferred to the council from central government.

The main growth areas are:

• Education - an increase of £15.2 million

• Social Work - an increase of £7.3 million

• Police - an increase of £1 million

• Roads and Transport - an increase of £1.2 million

• Protective Services - an increase of £0.5 million

• Fire - an increase of £0.7 million

• Cultural and Leisure Services - an increase of £0.3 million

In helping improve Council Tax collection, the Council has made it easier for householders to pay. Those who pay by Direct Debit – there are now 46,000 people paying this way – can now choose to pay by 12 monthly instalments instead of the usual 10. They can also select to pay on the first, 15^th or 28^th day of the month.