You Were Warned

Dear Sir,

Residents who voted Conservative or LibDem in the local elections because they were promised frozen/cut council tax and an end to double taxation may be interested to know that, at Durham County Council’s joint administration Cabinet meeting held last week on Wednesday 7 July, Cllr Richard Bell, Deputy Leader and Cabinet portfolio for Finance announced:

• there will be £45 million of cuts over the next four years;

• the Council plans to continue raising council tax by 1.99% (plus a 2% increase on social care precept) over the next four years, i.e. by the “maximum permissible” allowed by the government;

• the Council’s Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (which exempts people on benefits from Council Tax) will be maintained next year but reviewed next year;

• and, regarding double taxation: “it must be apparent from the foregoing that the County Council is not in a position to significantly increase the support given to town or parish councils given the financial circumstances that we find ourselves in”.

Name & address supplied