Mark Bee
Suffolk County Council’s council tax element to be frozen if Tories retain power
Friday, February 15, 2013
9:21 AM
Suffolk County Council’s element of council tax bills is to be frozen for the next four years if the Tories retain power.
That was the pledge made to the county council yesterday as it agreed to the third council tax freeze running.
Leader Mark Bee made the pledge during the council’s budget debate – but it was immediately questioned by opposition councillors who dismissed it as an attempt to gain more votes in May’s elections.
And yesterday evening the administration wrote to local government secretary Eric Pickles to tell him of the pledge.
Mr Bee announced the proposed freeze during the budget debate at Endeavour House. He said: “I am proud to announce today that if we are re-elected in May we will freeze the council tax, not just for the first year but for all four years of the next council. And we will do this and protect front line services for the most vulnerable in our society. That is our pledge. That is our commitment.”
This provoked cheers from his own side – but did not impress the opposition.
Liberal Democrat opposition leader David Wood said the move was clearly made to get the headlines in the run-up to the elections. He said: “There are significant cuts in adult and community services, yet again aiming the biggest reductions in areas where we provide for the vulnerable, which inevitably makes us question the effect on frontline services.”
Earlier the Conservative administration had defeated a Liberal Democrat amendment to the budget which would have led to the council spending more on education by taking £1.7m from reserves.
The budget was approved by the significant majority of 39 votes to 11 – but a substantial number of councillors had left the chamber well before the end of the three-hour debate.
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5 comments
Ok ingo just for you if inflation goes up by 2%a year thats 8% over 4 years get the Point!
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townie
Monday, February 18, 2013
No townie, council tax that is increased by more than 2% is subject to a local referendum, but, it will take local people asking for one and it costs.
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ingo wagenknecht
Monday, February 18, 2013
So if inflation goes at 3% a year over 4 years thats a 12% cut in income. if so are they then going to hike it up 12% after year 4 or make more cuts can,t have it both ways .people you are being conned
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townie
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Best pre-election bribe yet, by some considerable margin. Top that Norfolk! And one couldn't imagine some unforseen circumstance would arise within the 4 years to make them renege...
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Mr Cameron Isaliar
Friday, February 15, 2013
what could possibly drive such a pre election announcement? Are people threatened away from voting anything other than Tory by such simplistic arm twisting?
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ingo wagenknecht
Friday, February 15, 2013