As often, there is good news and indifferent news. The good news first is that Babergh’s Council Tax for 2025/2026 will increase by 2.99%. This compares quite well with the latest Computer Price Index (including Housing Costs) of 3.5% (Dec 2024) and the Bank of England’s forecast of 4%.
The 2.99% has been achieved at the cost of running a budget gap of £633,000 which will be funded from reserves.
Everyone knows that I prefer to see low taxes and value for money. Babergh will soon be absorbed into a greater area and so we should ask ourselves why we are still recruiting senior managers, such as an Information Governance Office (salary £43,000 to £50,000). I can understand recruiting a plumber for instant employment but most of the other vacancies can wait until the devolution future is clearer.
We should also ask ourselves how much we are going to have to pay when these jobs become redundant and also what quality of candidate will we see whilst the future is so uncertain.
Disclaimer:
This blog/post is the sole responsibility of its author Brian Riley.
It has not been approved nor is it endorsed by Babergh District Council or South Suffolk Conservative Association.