Council tax frozen

Council tax in Rochdale has been frozen for a second successive year.
 
The decision to freeze council tax for 2012/13 was rubber stamped by cabinet members at a meeting tonight (8 February).
  
A band D property will pay £1,482.36 in Council tax, subject to the confirmation of precepts.
 
Bills could rise if the police and fire service decide to increase their charges. So far neither has announced if they are planning to ask for more precept payments.
 
The report before councillors stated: “The final police and fire precepts have yet to be approved. Latest indications are that there is no increase for the Police and Fire precept.”
 
The report outlines that for the year 2013/14 Council tax will rise by 3.5 per cent and in 2014/15 by a further 3.5 per cent.
 
Cabinet members also approved that no discount will be given to taxpayers paying the full 2012/13 amount early.
 
Whilst Council tax has been frozen, discretionary fees and charges have been increased by 4.6 per cent.