Dartford Borough Council has agreed not to increase its Council Tax precept or cut any services in its 2022/23 Budget.
Dartford households will see no increase in their council tax for the year ahead, councillors agreed last night (Monday, February 28th).
Despite many other local authorities choosing to increase their Council Tax, Dartford Borough Council has taken the view that there was no need to follow suit. Residents paying an average Band D Council Tax will see no increase in the £181 a year they currently pay towards services like housing, weekly refuse collection, sport and leisure facilities, street cleaning and parks.
The decision was taken at a General Assembly of the Council on Monday evening – where councillors also agreed that there was no need to for any cuts to Council services.
For every pound collected from the average Council Tax bill only 9p goes towards Dartford Borough Council services. The rest is divided between Kent County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent, Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority and in some cases, town and parish councils.
Leader of the Council Jeremy Kite said: “Most other councils are putting up tax this year but we have concluded that we can manage without any increase.
“We don’t look around to see what other councils are doing and we don’t follow the herd.
“If we ever do need to put council tax up we’ll be honest and open about it, but we’re not planning any change this year.
“I hope our decision offers a little help to households across the borough.”