Illness to push up tax demand (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Illness to push up tax demand

12:41pm Thursday 15th February 2007 in News

Tewkesbury residents are facing an extra tax bill because of the illness of the town handyman.

Roger Mayall, who is employed by the town council, is seriously ill and expected to be off work for a considerable time.

Under his contract of employment, he is entitled to six months off on full pay and a further six months on half pay.

Meanwhile, while the borough council has agreed to cover part of his work, particularly keeping the play areas clean and tidy, there are some jobs that will have to be done by an agency worker at an expected cost of £5,000 for the year.

This money has been added to the budget for the next financial year and the town council has now set a Council Tax for the average band D household of £55.08, up 5.66 per cent or £2.95 on last year.

Borough councillors will meet to set their budget and Council Tax on Thursday, February 22. They are being recommended by officers to set the band D at tax £86.69, an increase of five per cent or £4.13.

Gloucestershire County Council meets to set its budget on Wednesday February 21. Its recommended total budget is £310.9 million, plus a further £294 million for schools.

This will mean a band D Council Tax of £988, up £33 on last year.

The police authority will meet on Monday, February 19. It is being recommended to agree an 4.9 per cent increase, or £8.50 more for a band D house.

Council Tax bills are sent out and the money collected for all four authorities by the borough council.