COUNCIL TAX RISE OF 1.8% DEFEATED

4.14.00pm GMT Wed 18th Feb 2009

Liberal Democrat councillors today proposed an alternative budget of a 1.8% rise in council tax. Conservative and Labour councillors voted to block this budget and as a result of their votes people in Gloucestershire face a higher council tax rise of 2.9%.

Council tax bills would only rise under the Liberal Democrats by £18 rather than the £30 rise agreed by the Conservative administration today.

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, Liberal Democrat leader said: "At today's meeting we proposed at 1.8% the lowest council tax rise in the county's history. People in the county are facing the worst economic times, with jobs being lost, pay cuts and house prices falling. In this exceptional year the council should make every effort to keep taxes down. In the budget debate we identified how £2.53 million of savings could be made. However, the Tories are happy with an excessive tax demand."

The Liberal Democrat budget proposal identified £2.53million of efficiency savings which the current administration at Shire Hall had failed to include in their budget.

Cllr Deryck Nash, Liberal Democrat deputy leader said: "Despite their protestations to the contrary, there are savings the Tories could have made to their budget. It is a pity they are imposing more council tax than they should have done in the current climate."

Notes:

The new precepts in the Liberal Democrat budget proposed, but defeated are:

Band A: £702.96

Band B: £820.12

Band C: £937.28

Band D: £1054.44

Band E: £1288.76

Band F: £1523.08

Band G: £1757.58

Band H: £2108.88

The Liberal Democrat budget amendment:

Proposer: Cllr Hilton

Seconder: Cllr Nash

To amend Recommendation one and the revenue budget and propose a council tax increase of 1.8%

The following change to the revenue budget. Building our Future savings to be made in the financial year 2009/10 to be increased from £2.5million to £5.03million

ENDS