Brent Council Freezes Budget for Third year running.

Brent Council has frozen its share of council tax again and will reduce parking charges after its 2013/14 budget was agreed on Monday night (25 February). The budget passed by Full Council sets out that the local authority will spend around £284 million net on the provision of local authority services in 2013/14, which will be paid for from central government grants, business rates and council tax. "Brent has now had the same rate since 2009/10 and brings welcome relief to hard pressed Fryent residents, who are struggling with falling living standards under this Government" said Fryent Councillor Ruth Moher. As part of this Budget a range of measures aimed at helping Business and Traders was also launched. Fryent Councillor George Crane welcomed a new enterprise initiative and he said at the meeting. "This new team will forge stronger links with businesses inside and outside of the Borough. It will provide small businesses in Brent with the support and advice they need to survive these difficult times. It will also provide us with a strong network through which we can push for more jobs, more apprenticeships and higher wages for our residents." The Council also agreed to fund reductions in on-street parking charges as part of the budget. This will enable the introduction of flat rate charges costing 50p per 15 minutes, with a lower charge of 20p for stays of up to 15 minutes. The net expenditure will pay for local authority services in 2013/14 including two sports centres, supporting the borough's voluntary sector, maintenance of around 22,000 streetlights, 13 million refuse collections a year, street cleaning, a recycling and waste service as well as adult social care and customer services. Brent Council Leader Councillor Muhammed Butt said: "I know how difficult it is for residents at the moment which is why we have taken action in this budget to help ease residents' financial pressures. We have frozen council tax again and will reduce on-street parking charges across the borough, and supported a new scheme to save you money on energy bills. At the same time we are striving to protect Brent's front-line services despite further cuts this year. "However, I want to be open with residents that the coming years will be very tough for the council and residents alike as costs rise and central government grant funding falls even further."