Three years of pain for council tax payers

2.24.00pm GMT Tue 9th Oct 2007

Stewart Golton

This afternoons Pre-Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review statement by the Chancellor can be summed up in its effect on local government very simply - three years of pain for council tax payers.

That's the view of Lib Dem deputy leader Cllr Stewart Golton on today's announcement.

"The intention to force local government to create another 10% savings over the next three years is a 'punishment' for efficient authorities - Leeds is one of the most efficient in the country, recognised by Audit Commission as such with the lowest council tax levels of the major cities, and we don't have the fat to cut from our budgets, these savings can only be achieved through real cuts in services to the people of Leeds.

"Already the Government gives less money towards services for the people of Leeds than most other major cities, £378 per head compared to £691 for residents of Manchester and over £500 for those living in Birmingham, Newcastle and Nottingham. If they cut funding equally for all local councils then they are saying that they are penalising those who have been efficient and effective in delivering services.

"One announcement they have made is that they will allow local councils to raise money from local businesses in the form of a supplementary business rate, however they've said that with a heavy hint that the money should be used for transport infrastructure, is this yet another attempt to make Leeds pay for its own transport schemes like Supertram when they have directly funded similar schemes in other cities like London, Manchester and Sheffield?

"All in all this whole statement is a slap in the face for efficient councils, that haven't pushed council tax levels sky high, and have already been denied key infrastructure projects."