Inflation busting council tax increase confirmed

Councillor Greg Couzens

Council tax is to increase by almost 4% following the decision at a special budget meeting last night (Wednesday 24 February) by the Liberal Democrat controlled Rochdale Borough Council to increase the tax by well over twice the national average and the second highest amount in Greater Manchester.

Band D householders will face council tax bills of £1,483 a year, up from £1,426 last year.

Finance portfolio holder Councillor Greg Couzens tried to defend the huge rise by pointing to predictions of a rise in inflation but his pleas were falling on deaf ears.

Councillor Couzens was soundly criticised when he declared the Lib Dems had reduced council tax, Conservative Group leader Councillor Ashley Dearnley, backed by Labour Group Leader Councillor Colin Lambert, robustly explaining that a lower level of increase was not a reduction in council tax.

Councillor Couzens also found himself in the firing line for claiming that all other Local Authorities setting a lower council tax increase were doing so as "purely an election stunt", a remark that Conservative councillor Ann Metcalfe described as "incorrect and arrogant".

Councillor Couzens remained adamant that "this is the most prudent budget ever". He added: "The budget makes the financial position more sustainable over the long term."

The main objective of Labour's alternative budget was to keep the intermediate care homes that are to close open, but even though four Lib Dems, Jean Ashworth, Rosemary Jones, Peter Clegg and Barbara Todd abstained, the amendment was voted down by the Liberal Democrats.

Labour also attacked Councillor Couzens for "closing intermediate care homes" whilst refusing to cull the 19 strong council media team and "stop publication" of the council propaganda magazine, Local Matters. Councillor Lambert said: "It is a disgrace that fripperies are being preserved whilst much needed frontline services are being cut."

The Conservatives, who proposed an alternative budget which would lead to a council tax increase of just 2.9%, also wanted the media team cutting and the publication of Local Matters magazine to stop.