GREENS MOUNT CROSS-PARTY CAMPAIGN AGAINST GOVERNMENT COUNCIL TAX THREATS
Two Labour council leaders are supporting calls from the Leader of Brighton & Hove for the government to come clean on their future proposals for local government finance.
Ministers recently made comments at public events and in the House of Commons, suggesting that a future review would undermine councils' management of local finances.
Green-led Brighton & Hove began its budget-setting process early, and was the first to declare its intentions at the beginning of December. However 26 councils of all political stripes have since followed after recognising the ‘financial cliff-edge' they face after one year if they accept the one-off grant.
Councillor Bill Randall commented:
"The Green administration published our draft budget early to allow for proper consultation with residents. But how can residents get involved in a meaningful conversation about how to protect services from government cuts if the government threatens to move the goalposts so late in the day?
"It flies in the face of localism to claim to give councils more power, but then apply penalties if they do something the government disagrees with.
"I've asked other council Leaders to join me in demanding that the government come clean on their threats."
ENDS
Notes for Editors
*Cllr Bill Randall this week has written to other council leaders soliciting their support in asking for clarity on the content of future of government proposals. The Leaders of Chesterfield and Darlington councils have responded in support so far.
*More information on ministers' comments is here: http://www.lgcplus.com/ministers-threaten-council-tax-retaliation/5041299.article.
*Recent councils announcing their intention to reject the government tax freeze include the Labour Nottingham City Council and Conservative Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
*The full list is:
|
Brighton & Hove City Council |
Grn |
3.50% |
|
Chesterfield BC |
Lab |
3.50% |
|
Darlington BC |
Lab |
3.50% |
|
Leicester City Council |
Lab |
3.50% |
|
Middlesbrough Council |
Lab |
3.50% |
|
Preston City Council |
Lab |
3.50% |
|
Redcar & Cleveland BC |
Lab |
3.50% |
|
Stockton-on-Tees BC |
Lab |
3.50% |
|
Barrow BC |
Lab |
3.49% |
|
North Dorset DC |
Con |
3.49% |
|
Stoke-on-Trent City Council |
Lab |
3.49% |
|
Gravesham Borough Council |
Lab |
3.48% |
|
Dover DC |
Con |
3.45% |
|
Taunton Deane BC |
Con |
3.45% |
|
Luton BC |
Lab |
3.44% |
|
Gedling BC |
Lab |
3.40% |
|
Nottingham City Council |
Lab |
3.40% |
|
Tunbridge Wells BC |
Con |
3.30% |
|
Scarborough BC |
Con/Lib/Ind |
3.00% |
|
Surrey CC |
Con |
2.99% |
|
Cambridgeshire CC |
Con |
2.95% |
|
East Cambridgeshire DC |
Con |
2.95% |
|
Peterborough City Council |
Con |
2.95% |
|
York City Council |
Lab |
2.90% |
|
South Hams DC |
Con |
2.50% |
|
West Devon BC |
Con |
2.50% |
|
Chelmsford BC |
Con |
2.46% |