Anger at rises in council charges across Northumberland

Jan 15 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal

Key promise on tax may not be met

ONE of the key promises in the formation of a unitary authority in Northumberland may not be met for five years, The Journal has learnt.

As part of the drive for the unified Northumberland council, one of the promises made was that council tax payments would be equalised within the first year across the county.

That now will not happen and the council is discussing spreading out the process over five years, the longest legal time limit.

That would leave council tax payers in rural Northumberland paying more for the same services as those in other parts until 2013.

The news comes as the council struggles to make savings. It has already said it will have to raise taxes by around 4.8% and savings of £25.5m.

A council spokesman said the move to delay the equalisation process was necessary to make the needed savings.

Alnwick district and Northumberland county councillor Steve Bridgett, of Rothbury, said the situation of tax payers paying different amounts for the same service was grossly unfair.

He said: "People have ben told they would be paying the same amount from the first year of this council. I understand that savings need to be made, but surely there are better ways of saving some money."

And Castle Morpeth councillor Richard Dodd said: "It is totally disgusting what is going on here. We are all paying into one council and everyone should be paying the same amount."

A spokesman for Northumberland County Council said: "The budget consultation that is currently under way will help to determine the approach to council tax equalisation across Northumberland.

"National regulations do permit council tax equalisation over a five-year period but at this stage no formal decisions have been made. Equalising council tax in 2009/10 would mean that additional efficiency savings would be required to secure a balanced budget for the new council."

Current average cost for band D homes:

:: Blyth Valley: £1,351.83

:: Alnwick District: £1,384.95

:: Castle Morpeth: £1,425.84

:: Berwick Borough: £1,379.84