Residents can expect a good range of highest quality services over the next two years. That's the message from the District Council which is seeking to reassure residents after today's Government announcement of 7.1% cuts in local government funding each year for the next four years.

Council Leader Ann Shaw said: 
"We are drawing up plans based on a 15% grant reduction over the next two years, and we have also taken into account the Council Tax freeze. The Government's announcement is in line with our assumptions - but that still means there are some tough decisions we will have to take over the coming months."

Chief Executive Steven Halls said: 
"We've had extremely careful financial management for a number of years and have saved more than £1M over the last two years. The total reduction over the next four years is higher than expected but we have two years in which to prepare for additional 3.4% savings."

The Council published last week 10 tips for residents help the Council to reduce its running costs and protect frontline services. In particular, the Council is urging residents who have a computer to obtain routine information from its website rather than telephoning and also to sign up for e-newsletters.

The Council reduced Council Tax by 0.5% last year and has saved £1.24M in the last two years. Full details of the Government grant, known as the Settlement, will be known by December. Councils receive an annual funding grant from the Government as well as raising funds directly through Council Tax. The District Council, together with the Parish Councils, receive 14 pence in the pound from Council Tax. The remaining 86 pence goes to Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Police Authority.

From http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/Cuts-Council-Is-Prepared-For-Next-Two-Years