2.9% COUNCIL TAX RISE - BUT IS THAT THE FULL STORY (Poole Liberal Democrats)

Poole Liberal Democrats <info@poole-libdems.org.uk>

2.9% COUNCIL TAX RISE - BUT IS THAT THE FULL STORY

April 1, 2010 9:00 AM

Poole Liberal Democrats submitted a revised budget at February's Full Council meeting proposing a 0% Council Tax rise in line with Lib Dem-controlled Portsmouth City Council. This was roundly defeated by Conservative councillors.

Poole's Lib Dem Prospective MP Cllr Philip Eades said "it is incredible that the Tory Council could not keep the Council Tax rise down when the staff at the Council (the biggest expense of all) are to receive no pay rise this year. The Budget is packed full of justifications for the large rise but none of them survive detailed scrutiny. The Tories have also approved an increase in charges for Council services twice next year _ on 1st April and 1st September. By definition this plan will hit the most vulnerable members of Poole's community hardest as Council charges, unlike Council Tax, are usually not means-tested.

"Whilst ordinary residents are being expected to pay more, there is no sign that the recent pay rises for those leading the Council will be reversed. Last year the Conservatives voted themselves a 67% pay rise for their Cabinet members taking them to over £20,000 per annum and a 43% pay rise for their Scrutiny chairmen taking them to over £13,000 per annum."

The Conservative Council seem content to impose yet another 2.9% Council Tax increase on Poole residents this year, when the Local Government Association predicts that the average increase in England will be 1.6%. Why are Poole residents expected to pay so much more for less?