Lib Dems called for freeze on Council Tax and car parking charges

Local Lib Dems are angry that the Conservative run council has ignored its huge reserves and refused a government grant to increase both Council tax and car parking charges.

"Liberal Democrat councillors refused to back an increase in either Council Tax or car parking charges. We wanted a freeze" said Lib Dem Leader Ann-Marie Barker. "A freeze could have been funded from a combination of the government grant on offer and by taking a small amount from the Council's substantial reserves" explained Cllr Barker.

"The government offered a 1% increase and the remainder could have been made up by taking around £80,000 from the Council's reserves" pointed out Cllr Barker.

In her speech to the budget setting council Cllr. Barker noted that "The economy is improving, but local people, who may well have had little or no pay rise in the last few years, have seen food, fuel and energy prices go up, and are now being hit with finding yet more extra money".