Low Council Tax Priority for new Lib Dem Council

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st May 2008

Lib Dems are determined to minimise Council Tax at a time when many local people are already feeling the pinch from increasing energy bills and food prices.

The new Liberal Democrat Council have outlined their commitment to delivering a low as possible Council Tax. They have made clear their commitment to deliver value services, particularly as local people feel the pinch from cost of living increases. Councillor Simon Clement-Jones, Cabinet member for Finance and Customer Focused Services, said: - "We are committed to achieving at least a below inflation Council Tax increase in year one, with a longer term target for no increase in Council Tax."

"One of our five key pledges at the local elections was to deliver better value Council services. The instruction to officers to work towards having no Council Tax increase at all is the first step in that process, it goes to show that we are focused on delivering on what we said at election time."

"We know just how unfair and regressive Council Tax is. Therefore we are determined to minimise its impact at a time when many local people, particularly those on low or fixed incomes, are already feeling the pinch from increasing energy bills and food prices."