Opposition slam council tax rise

Money

Opposition parties have criticised the council tax rise, claiming that, with more careful measures, it could have been prevented.

It was confirmed at last night’s Council Budget Meeting that council tax will rise by 3.7%, a figure deemed by the finance spokesman was “a considerable achievement”.

But Labour leader Colin Lambert, along with Conservative Leader Ashley Dearnley, stand together in their view that the figure is “outrageous” and could easily have been brought down with more careful money spending.

Speaking at the meeting Ashley Dearnley proposed various alternative ways of saving money, such as abolishing the people’s Champion Team, reducing the publication of Local Matter magazine and reducing members of the Cabinet, all of which were declined.

Councillor Colin Lambert said the council tax rise is “more than double” what it needed to be. He added: “Their council tax rise of 3.7% is outrageous in the current economic climate, and they have forced through this level of rise without improvements to any service.

“We worked with finance officers to produce a budget which balanced the council responsibility financially with the equal responsibility to deliver the services people want, whilst limiting the amount of money the council will take out of every council tax payers pocket”.

But councillor Greg Couzens, who is the portfolio holder and spokesman for finance, stood by his decisions. He said: “I believe that this year’s budget represents a considerable achievement for the authority made possible through focus, prioritisation and a sound service planning processes; all underpinned by excellent financial management.

“We proposed a council tax increase of 3.7% - the lowest for twelve years and I believe that this represents a careful balance between investing in maintaining and improving services and affordability.

Councillor Couzens continued: “In Conservative led Trafford they have been forced to increase council tax by 4.8%.

“In Labour led Salford they have been forced to make over 300 redundancies to council staff. The budget that was passed at council is a budget that doesn’t contain any cuts to services, has the lowest council tax increase for 12 years and offers real value for money for the residents of our Borough.

“It is a sensible budget. It’s a budget that prioritises services whilst at the same time prioritises our resident’s wallets.

“We know that we have a lot of work to do to make sure our services are delivering the best value for money but we have the drive, ideas and commitment to deliver that for the people of our Borough.

“For 25 years I have worked in Rochdale Town Centre and I have witnessed the slow decline of our town through a lack of vision, determination and passion. Last year’s budget was just the start in providing the vehicle for our borough’s long awaited regeneration and this year’s budget will help us to continue with that.”