DELIVERING 274 new affordable homes, opening a 'green energy' centre for new businesses in Okehampton and providing extra new services to rural areas are among a raft of initiatives for West Devon Borough Council over the next 12 months. Councillors last week agreed to a budget of £7.9 million towards helping fund these latest projects and providing its services to more than 23,000 households in the borough for the next year. The 4.5% increase in council tax will mean that residents of an average Band D property will pay an extra £7.83 per year or 15p extra per week. West Devon's portion of the council tax will be an average £181.84. The rest of the council tax bill is made up of charges from Devon County Council, parish or town councils and the fire and police authorities. The county has set its increase at 3.9% — the increase will cost a Band D tax payer £1,063.89 to the county — around £40 more than last year. Cllr Margaret Garton, chairman of the borough's strategies and resources committee, said: 'With the Retail Prices Index currently reporting an inflation rate of 4.0%, our increase of 4.5% is only 0.5% higher, which only gives us £17,000 towards meeting Government demands. 'This achieves a good balance between delivering high quality, cost effective services and the need for the council to sustain its current stable financial position and keep council tax as low as possible. 'We are proud of our record of strong financial management and we have minimised the impact on residents by ensuring we maintain our strong performance on value for money.' West Devon councillors were told that despite budget pressures of more than £800,000, the borough had still managed to reduce overheads and find savings of around £375,000 — with no frontline services being affected. The council is hoping to continue the trial food waste recycling collections in Tavistock, subject to additional funding being obtained from other sources. West Devon faces unique issues with high house prices yet below average wage levels. The borough council will continue to charge owners of second homes council tax of 90% — the maximum allowed by the Government. Plans for the coming year include: l Delivering 274 affordable homes to drive forward the council's target to deliver 673 affordable homes by March 2010. The council demands that developers must provide at least 35% affordable housing on new developments. l Providing sixteen managed offices and workshops for starter businesses on the 26-acre Opportunity Okehampton site. l Improving residents' access to services with council 'outreach surgeries' being extended to include Princetown, Exbourne and Horrabridge. The regular surgeries are already held at Hatherleigh, North Tawton, Chagford, Lifton, and Bere Alston.
