LABOUR WANTS COUNCIL TAX INCREASE CUT TO 3.6%

The Labour Opposition on Kent County Council will be proposing a reduced Council Tax increase of 3.6% at next week’s Budget debate. This 3.6% will be in line with the pension and benefit increases coming into force in April and will be close to the average Council Tax increase for all councils.

This will be in marked contrast to the proposed 4.95% inflated increase in Council Tax being submitted by the Tory administration. This Council Tax hike could have been even higher if the Labour Government had not told the Kent Tories that any increase above 5% would have been refused and capped.

Dr Mike Eddy, Leader of the Opposition at Kent County Council, says:

“We have looked at the Tory Budget proposals very carefully. Against a background of a 4.9% increase in the Labour Government’s contribution to Kent County Council services, we have been able to come out with a workable Budget that concentrates on frontline services and cuts back on unnecessary, wasteful expenditure.”

Derek Smyth, Deputy Leader of the KCC Labour Group, says:

“The Tories talk a good deal about how concerned they are for people on fixed and lower incomes having to pay ever-increasing Council Tax above the rate of inflation. This time they had a real opportunity to help the taxpayer and they sold the pass. Constant Tory whingeing about ‘Government cutbacks’ chimes discordantly with the fact that the Labour Government is investing in Kent at an unprecedented level. Examples include a major new schools programme, the building of children’s centres, the construction of new supported accommodation for senior citizens and a whole series of environmental and public transport schemes.”