Tonbridge & Malling Council increase help for voluntary groups

Tonbridge and Malling Council is avoiding any cuts to front line services by finding efficiency savings and having planned ahead. Furthermore they are using the New Homes Bonus to increase support for the voluntary sector.

The Council leader, Cllr Mark Worrall says, in a Conservative leaflet being distributed to all residents next week:

WE WILL MAKE NO CUTS IN BOROUGH COUNCIL SERVICES AND WILL MAKE NO REDUNDANCIES IN THE STAFF WHO DELIVER THESE SERVICES.

The reductions and closures that you hear about in other Council areas will not take place in your Borough.

WE ARE FREEZING COUNCIL TAX. THERE WILL BE NO INCREASE THIS YEAR.

Unless your Parish Council has chosen to charge you extra, your Council Tax bill for Borough and County Councils, the Police and Fire Services will be exactly the same as it was last year.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES [eg CAB AND VOLUNTEER BUREAU] AND OTHERS WHO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.

We are also increasing support, by up to £500,000 in the next four years, for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise activities that make such a real difference to so many residents across the Borough.

In these times of worry for many of us, we have listened to you, we have worked for you and we are accountable to you. We have protected the services that you need and want, and have frozen the amount you have to pay. There will be no cuts to council services and there will be no increase in council tax.