Labour impose unacceptable 4.65% council tax hike on Sheffield taxpayers

12.00.00am GMT Sat 4th Mar 2006

Sheffield Town Hall where full council meet every month

At a meeting of full council, the Labour controlled Sheffield City Council have voted to support of a 4.65% increase to council tax in 2006/07. The controlling Labour group passed through their proposed budget, which includes a 165% increase to Home Care charges.

Liberal Democrats proposed an alternative budget, which was voted down by Labour and the Conservatives, which would have seen council tax bills increase at below the rate of inflation (which currently stands at 2.3%) at 1.98% before precepts. If the Lib Dems budget had been accepted it would have saved each council taxpayer between £25 and £55, depending on council tax band.

Liberal Democrats proposed to tackle the waste and red tape within the council in order to spend more on front line services, and also to off-set the proposed 165% Home Care charge increase which will see many vulnerable people in Sheffield facing huge bills for care. Other proposals in the Lib Dem budget included an extra 30 officers on the street tackling anti-social behaviour and extra money for parks, public toilets and dam repairs.

Lib Dems also propose to scrap Labours 'favoured areas' policy, which is supported by the Tories on the council. The controversial strategy unfairly diverts mainstream council services, such as road repairs and streetlight repairs, into a few favoured areas.

The Tories on the council proposed an inflation busting council tax increase of 3.25%, whilst the Greens supported Labours proposed increase of 4.65%.

Cllr Andrew Sangar, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Finance, said: -

"Our budget would have delivered a low council tax rise, better services and no 165% increase in Home Care charges. I'm disappointed that Labour supported a huge 4.6% increase, instead of our lower council tax rise at 1.98%"

"Labours budget will hit the poorest hardest. It has a huge council tax increase, which we know is intolerable for many less well off groups as the charge isn't based on the ability to pay. It also has the disgraceful 165% increase to Home Care charges which will see many vulnerable in Sheffield facing huge bills for care"

"Its clear that the Lib Dems are the only alternative to this Labour administration as they continue to waste more and more taxpayers money on unnecessary waste within the Town Hall"