Rochdale politicians hit out at Tory Council Tax promise

After the Tories promised to freeze council tax for two years if they win the next general election, two of Rochdale’s political heavyweights have denounced the plan as a con.

The town’s MP Paul Rowen and his Labour rival, Simon Danczuk, have attacked the Conservative’s proposals.

The pledge was made during the Shadow Chancellor’s speech to the party faithful at their conference in Birmingham yesterday.

George Osbourne promised that if councils could keep their council tax rise to 2.5% or below the Government would make up the shortfall.

Mr Osbourne said the cash would come from cuts to government advertising and use of consultants, as well as from savings made by local authorities.

The tax freeze would mean a saving of £70 in the first year for an average household in a Band D property and £140 in the second year, according to Mr Osborne.

The initiative may have delighted Tory delegates at the conference but it has been criticised by politicians in Rochdale who feel council services will be squeezed as a result.

The town’s MP, Paul Rowen, told Rochdale Online he fears services in Rochdale will have to be ‘slashed’ if there are council tax freezes.

“This is an uncosted, headline-grabbing initiative that will spell massive cuts for many Councils,” he said.

“Rather than making tough choices over tax and spending, Mr Osborne is simply passing on the tough decisions to local Councils.

“The policy of freezing Council Tax for two years will simply mean that individual Councils will have to slash services in order to play ball.”

Simon Danczuk, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Rochdale, also said: “The Tory’s proposals to cut council tax don’t add up, are unrealistic and would harm important public services. The Tories are scrambling around for financial gimmicks to desperately try and appeal to voters, but the public won’t be taken in.

“What we need to do is get value for money for Rochdale Council Tax payers. Currently the Lib Dem Council’s performance, according to official assessment, is mediocre at best and often very poor in parts,” Mr Danczuk said.

“The debate needs to be about getting good quality care for the elderly, dramatically improving housing support and regenerating our town.

“Our town needs strong political leadership not financial gimmicks – there’s no such thing as something for nothing.”

However, not everyone in the borough is opposed to the plans. They have delighted the town’s Conservative leader, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, who believes those on low incomes would see the most benefit.

“I think it is a wonderful idea, especially when people are in great difficulty at the moment and are struggling to pay rising bills,” he said.

“I fully support it, the issue needs tackling and I’m glad the Conservatives have taken the idea up.

“Council tax is a bill that people have really struggled to pay and it has constantly risen under this Labour Government.

Councillor Dearnley is not concerned a cut in the council’s budget will lead to a drop in services.

“I have never believed more money equals better services,” he said.

“The council wastes money on services that people don’t want, such as the People’s Champion.

“Waste has increased under the Liberals who have been building an empire in administration.”