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South Northants Council Lib Dems Warning On Tax

by scottcollins2 on 4 March, 2014

Liberal Democrat Councillor Martin Johns issued warning over continuing tax freeze

Liberal Democrat Councillor Martin Johns issued warning over continuing tax freeze

Liberal Democrat Councillors have supported South Northamptonshire Council’s budget for 2014-15. The Liberal Democrats however have warned a council tax rise next year should not be ruled out, given the council’s increasingly serious financial position.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Martin Johns said:

“Liberal Democrats have worked hard with the council to support organizational changes and other measures that are helping maintain local services. In response to the Liberal Democrats comments on the budget, the Tories made clear they will not raise council tax next year, simply because it’s an election year. My concern is the Conservatives are putting their own interests well before those of local people. If staff and vital services are cut next year, local residents will see right through this Tory cynicism.”  

At this week’s SNC budget meeting Conservatives outlined a bleak financial future for the council and its residents. The Lib Dems view that SNC should not rule in or out the possibility of increasing council tax next year is shared by the Independent Group of Councillors. This Lib Dem view is also held by a number of leading backbench Conservatives.

County Councillor Chris Lofts said:

“We have seen the disastrous results that freezing council tax has had on the county council. Years of deep cuts, reduced or poor services; in particular services for children and the vulnerable. We have seen our roads left littered with potholes, streetlights turned off and increased charges placed on less well off residents.”

Scott Collins, recently re-selected Parliamentary Candidate for the Liberal Democrats in South Northamptonshire, said:

“Continuing the council tax freeze into next year is financially irresponsible and puts the councils finances at further unnecessary risk for what appears to be political expediency and dogma rather than the good of the council and its services and by definition those that receive those services…the tax payers.” 

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