Survey measures delivery across range of public sector services
A national survey has found that Tonbridge and Malling is the best value borough in Kent for council tax payers.
The study by online advice service money.co.uk, assessed data across a range of services provided by public bodies, including waste recycling, road repairs, crime rate, education and care homes.
The results were used to create a league table showing how each area of Kent performs in delivering a return on council tax bills, the current level of which is £2,064.28 per year for a band D home in Tonbridge and Malling.
The borough came first among the 10 areas of Kent surveyed with an overall score of 3.27 out of 10. Ashford came second with an overall score of 2.94. The top district for value nationally was found to be Wandsworth in London with a score of 7.85 followed by Wigan on 5.03.
The figures for Tonbridge and Malling showed it scored best for a low crime rate, quality of social care and recycling rates which are the best in Kent according to government figures. Households across the borough recycle more than half of their rubbish compared to a county average of 43 per cent.
Cllr Matt Boughton, Leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, said: ‘The current economic situation in which many households are struggling to make ends meet makes it especially important that public services are seen to be delivering good value.
‘I know that all council tax funded bodies are striving to deliver for residents while responding to challenges such as rising overheads and labour shortages, which makes it all the more pleasing to see Tonbridge and Malling leading the way in areas such as recycling and low crime rates while also keeping bills down. We will continue to do everything we can to support residents and our local economy with good value services through whatever challenging times lie ahead.’