Labour Announce Council Tax Plans

The Labour Group in Swindon have announced that they are looking at a 15% Council Tax rise.  This follows on from Conservative proposals which have looked at a range of possibilities from lower Council Tax where savings would need to be made to balance the books, right upto the 15%.

With a £5 million short fall in funding from the Labour Government, which has caused the Council to look at massive Council Tax hikes just to 'standstill', the 15% proposal would also allow for additional money to be spent on services.

The Conservatives welcome Labour's announcement as no decision can be made without two groups agreeing, as no political group has overall control on the Council.  (Labour 29, Conservatives 22 and Liberals 8).  This will allow the two major groups to see potential proposals debating in public, and a consensous formed.

Cllr Justin Tomlinson condemns the Liberal Democrats, 'The Liberal Democrats are still unwilling to present their own proposals. 

Tough decisions need to be made after the disgraceful settlement from the Labour Government, and it is time the Liberals stopped sniping for political points, and became involved. 

The two major parties have put proposals on the table to allow the public to engage in consultation, which is crucial now the Council faces such difficult decisions. 

The Liberals as ever prefer point scoring, their first and only concern is the May elections, but they will pay the price as voters punish weak Council representation.'