After Peterborough there is disappointing news of two more Conservative councils planning to increase the Council tax and spurn the Government's offer of funding a freeze. Surrey County Council is proposing a Council Tax rise of 2.99%. Its leader Cllr David Hodge claims the need for extra primary school places is a justification. But this […]
In a powerful speech yesterday the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles gave a strong message to councils planning to reject the offer to fund a Council Tax freeze for the coming financial year. He said: "Today is Blue Monday – officially the most depressing day of the year, as people look ahead to months of chilly […]
Peterborough City Council, a unitary authority with a large Conservative majority, is proposing a Council Tax rise of 2.95%. This is despite the Government's offer of funding for a Council Tax freeze. The Council argues that without putting up Council Tax this year then a higher increase would be required the following year. Implicit is […]
The London Assembly is often criticised as a talking shop. I believe its cost of over £8 million a year should be dramatically cut. But it does have a significant bit of power – it can reject the Mayor of London's budget. A two thirds majority can secure amendments. This year Boris Johnson is proposing […]
Congratulations to Conservative-run Stratford-on-Avon District Council who are cutting their Council Tax charge by 1%. The main element of the bill paid by residents is charged by Conservative-run Warwickshire County Council who are expected to freeze their share of the Council Tax. So the saving will be only £1.29 a year. But I still think […]
At present councils have no financial interest in reducing the number of people on Council Tax Benefit. They adminster the process but it is central Government that pays the bill.At present £4.2 billion is paid in Council Tax Benefit. (The DWP cautiously estimates that £200 million goes on fraudulent payments.) From April 2013 this will […]
Congratulations to Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh (pictured on Christmas Day in Hammersmith Town Hall at the pensioners lunch), the tax cutting leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, who has been named Pin-Up of the Month by the TaxPayers Alliance. Their Pinhead of the Month is Jerzy Buzek MEP, President of the European Parliament as "the driving […]
A fillip for the Local Government Chronicle's campaign for Council Tax increases – in defiance of the Government's offer to fund a freeze. They report (£) that Labour-run Nottingham will reject the freeze. Their concern is that taking the freeze would mean a big Council Tax rise the following year – which, of course, […]
Ray Mallon, the independent directly elected Mayor of Middlesbrough is proposing to spurn Government funding for a council Tax freeze and instead increase the Council Tax by 3.5%. The Council workforce of 10,000 is only due to fall by 120 in the coming year. Services for children and the disabled are being cut while thousands […]
Cumbria Council, a joint Conservative/Labour administration is proposing to increase the Council Tax by 2.5%. Cllr Eddie Martin, the Council's Conservative leader said he “was inclined to go with the 2.5% increase next year” but had not yet got the agreement of his group. Their argument appears to be that otherwise they would want to […]
Congratulations to South Oxfordshire District Council who are proposing to cut their Council Tax precept next year by 2.5%. This will reduce the bills on Band D taxpayer from £123.73 to £120.64. Sharing services with the Vale of White Horse District Council, which delivered savings of more than £5 million a year. (As seen on […]
I am delighted to announce that my council, Hammersmith and Fulham, is proposing to cut the Council Tax next year by 3.75%. Our costs our being driven down by reducing our debt (and thus our bill for debt interest) and tri-borough arrangements with Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea which reduce admin. It will be fifth […]
Brighton and Hove are planning a Council Tax increase of 3.5%. Anymore and they would be subject to a referendum. As would any other council. The Local Government Chronicle's recently reported that the Government's offer to fund a Council Tax freeze would be widely spurned. But I have yet to hear of any other Council […]
Trafford Council, a Conservative flagship, have released details of their draft budget for 2012/13. They will freeze the Council Tax, increase help to the vulnerable and maintain front line services. All this is made possible by finding another £6.7 million of efficiency savings. Lower management and back office costs and increased use of technology mean […]
Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, Leader of the Conservative Opposition on Brighton and Hove Council, says the Green Party administration is punishing motorists as well as Council Taxpayers Communities and Local Government Minister – Grant Shapps MP – wrote recently that: “well-managed councils do not need to compromise frontline services to make savings. Councils can do more […]