Member Article

Council reveals crunch plan

Newcastle City Council has announced its budget proposals for 2009, which it hopes will steer the city through the economic downturn.

Council tax will rise by 2.9% to cover the proposed £21million expenditure. The money raised will go towards projects such as economic regeneration, local infrastructure, and help for first time buyers.

The council also confirmed that it would be shedding 500 jobs in 2009 to help save costs.

Leader of the Council John Shipley said: “As well as keeping Council Tax bills down, and protecting frontline services, there is much that the Council can do to help businesses and individuals survive the economic recession. Our budget proposals includes an extra £21 million of spending on infrastructure and regeneration projects - which will help keep many people in work in the construction industry locally.

“We’re also continuing with a package of interventions to help people in debt crisis, to help housebuilders and homebuyers alike, and to help small businesses. Without this extra spending package, our Council Tax bills would have been even lower, but we think that supporting the city’s economy through this crisis is simply the right thing to do.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .