EAST Hampshire District Council has agreed to "freeze" its part of the council tax until the end of March 2010. Members of East Hampshire District Council's Conservative cabinet were unanimous in agreeing to the proposals which were set out in a "medium term financial framework" report to a meeting on Wednesday of last week. The report set out the council's budget position for the next three years and said the council will continue to reduce costs by finding new ways to deliver better services. Council leader Ferris Cowper said: "Having pegged the rise to inflation over the last few years, I am very pleased to recommend no further increases for the next three years. "At East Hampshire, we have a strong track record of efficiency and innovation. We are now in a position to be able to relieve the future pressure on local taxpayers." East Hampshire District Council has been recognised nationally for its innovative approach, having won two Beacon awards in two years: – for affordable housing in 2005/6, and waste and recycling in 2006/7. East Hampshire is also in the top 10 recyclers nationally and is planning a new kerbside glass collection scheme. Councillors and managers will also look at cutting costs and charging for some services to meet an efficiency target of £934,000 over three years. Mr Cowper added: "We want to maintain our reputation for delivering good services that provide good value for local residents. "Freezing our part of the tax bill to 35p a day for the average taxpayer represents, I think, terrific value for money." East Hampshire District Council's share of a Band 'D' tax bill is at present £127.67 a year. But Liberal Democrat councillor Adam Carew has dismissed the proposal as a "pre-election gimmick". He told The Herald: "I think its a little presumptuous as they (the Conservatives) might not be in power in 2010. "If they are going to freeze the council tax for the next three years, how are they going to be providing the services? "They can't be sure how much they are going to get from the annual government support grants. I do not think it's responsible to make such decisions. "They do not know what is going to happen. There are a few dangerous assumptions being made over the efficiency savings that can't be made due to these uncertain factors". Mr Carew went on to say: "If they do not meet their targets what will happen? Services will be cut." At the cabinet meeting Mr Cowper said he was confident the three year plans were both "realistic and achievable".
