Council tax charges are set by the County Council, District Council, Town Council, Fire and Police Authorities.  Underneath is set out the Band D [your home may be a different band?] equivalent.  The town and parish average is shown, but for Ferndown residents there is actually a decrease of just under £4.00 for 2012/13 as the town council lowered its precept.  Funnily enough, this was not seen as news by the press, although they have been quick to point out rises in the past.  The District Council's share of the council tax is around 11%, although it is the collection agency for the total billall of it.

Band D            2012/13        % increase
County            1,168.29        nil
District            190.93           nil
T & P Average  39.29            1.03             Ferndown Town Council's is actually £37.65 against £41.52 in 2011/12
Police              180.00           nil
Fire                  60.39            nil
Total                1638.50         0.02

No increase for 2012/13, but future years are going to be difficult, as savings still need to be found, and budgetary pressures continue to grow.  We will spend £9.9m next year, and only £2.5m comes from government.  75% is funded directly from your council tax giving this 75:25% split.  Nationally the picture is very different with the average split being 30:70, with only 30% coming direct from council tax.  Next year EDDC will also receive £286,000 less from government in government grant funding.  With the loss of investment income from monies held, things are getting very tight indeed.  I know we are working hard to maintain frontline services, and to try and keep additional increases to taxpayers to a minimum.  Partnerships, including the joint working with Christchurch BC, and the Dorset Waste Partnership are all aprt of the drive to be more efficient, whilst maintianing effectiveness.