Waverley Borough Council is asking Council Taxpayers for their views on a new proposal designed to increase support for vulnerable residents and fund additional community projects.
The council is currently gauging public interest in the scheme to determine its viability. In a letter sent to Band H Council Tax properties, residents are encouraged to provide feedback through a short, anonymous online survey.
Those who support the proposal could make financial donations to a dedicated charitable trust and potentially have a say in how the funds are allocated towards discretionary services and local projects that benefit the borough.
Council Leader Paul Follows said: “We know - particularly from the way our communities pulled together during the pandemic - that many of our residents are very generous with their time and money, and passionate about supporting vulnerable people locally.
“The council gives around £1 million per year in grants to local charities and not-for-profits, and we have a very strategic and structured framework for doing this. We require organisations that we work with to have impeccable financial accounting practices, to submit detailed bids and demonstrate measurable outcomes. This ensures Council Taxpayers are getting the best possible value for money from charitable grants, and we can direct funds to where they will have the most impact.
“But the reality is that with more money, we could do even more good. So, the responsible thing for us to do, is to ask our residents if they would be prepared to make a voluntary contribution to support additional local projects.”
A similar initiative launched by Westminster City Council in 2018 has successfully raised an additional £300,000 annually to support community services there.
Cllr Follows continued:
“Inevitably there will be additional costs in administering such a scheme, so we want to get an indication that there will be enough donations to make it worthwhile. At the moment, we’re only asking residents of Council Tax Band H properties, as we think this is where we are likely to get the majority of donations, but obviously, if the scheme is successful, why wouldn’t we look to encourage contributions from other residents as well?”
Caption: voluntary extra Council Tax payments could help vulnerable residents and fund additional community projects.