Senior Councillor hits back at Tory Council Tax Claims

12.00.00am GMT Tue 23rd Feb 2010

David, a Chartered Accountant and former Finance Director, thinks the Tories' Council Tax plans are in disarray.

In response to Conservative claims that taxpayers are getting 'good value' from this year's Council Tax rise, Liberal Democrat Borough Councillor for Boughton Green and Cabinet Member for Finance, David Perkins, has written to the Chronicle & Echo, saying:

"Conservative County Councillors slipped to an all-time low in the honesty stakes this week, with Cllr. Bill Parker's hard-sell that we taxpayers are getting a 'good deal' from our £45 hike in Council Tax.

"In the Tories' first budget since June's countywide elections, Conservatives in Northampton are taking us for fools. Of our £45 increase, an eye-watering £38 comes straight from County Hall. Conservative Councillors elsewhere in Northamptonshire - from Daventry to Kettering to South Northants - seem similarly relaxed about upping their rates above inflation.

"All this, of course, puts one of the Conservatives' few national policies into hot political water. In 2008, David Cameron pledged to freeze Council Tax for two years, in exchange for the keys to 10 Downing Street.

"What good is a freeze in 2010 when Tory Councils have raised our rates before the polls even open? - More political gimmickry from the Conservatives' Spinner-in-Chief.

"So, what price a little honesty in politics? In the Guildhall, Liberal Democrat Councillors are increasing our rates, but by a lower 2.47% (£5 a year). Next year, we hope to go lower. But we won't commit to a vote-grabbing freeze in the face of cascading cuts from Westminster.

"Until the Council Tax is scrapped and replaced with a Local Income Tax, based on income not postcode, we will continue to receive rise after rise in our annual bills.

"Sadly, neither Labour nor the Conservatives want to grab the bull by the horns for fear of upsetting middle England's so-called 'floating voter'. The two main parties should stop treating Northamptonians like fools, grow up, and engage them in an honest debate about public services - and how to pay for them."

David Perkins FCA

Cabinet Member for Finance, Northampton Borough Council

Liberal Democrat Borough Councillor for Boughton Green

ENDS