Last Tuesday Conservative Councillors have voted to support a tax freeze at Cornwall Council in line with their group policy.
Conservative Group Leader Fiona Ferguson explained, "We had decided in group that it was a priority to freeze Council tax to protect hard working families in Cornwall from a Council tax hike. Whilst we submitted a proposal that would have protected front line services it was clear that we just did not have the number of Councillors to get it through. We were left with two options: A cabinet proposal to increase Council tax or a Liberal Democrat proposal which froze Council Tax but affected some front line services. The majority of the Conservative Group backed the Cornish taxpayer and voted for a freeze."
Fiona continued, "Our proposal would have taken most of the savings required from the Chief Executives Department. However with the Government offering Cornwall Council a freeze grant of almost £5m we simply could not see how we could justify refusing this and ask the local taxpayer to foot the bill instead. We believe that with some careful planning the effects of these Lib Dem cuts can be minimised and we will be putting forward a manifesto at the election to carefully manage the budget in these austere times to protect front line services as we have done consistently in Council. "
Conservative Cabinet Member Stephen Rushworth was sacked by the leader for voting for the Council Tax freeze, and two other Conservative Cabinet Members have since resigned from the Party and joined the Independent Group. The Cabinet is now run by the Independent Group as they now have a clear majority.
Reacting to this news, Cllr Ferguson commented, "The way that some Cabinet members have reacted to the democratic decision made on 26th has been disappointing and surprising. That said, I feel that the make-up of the Cabinet does now more accurately reflect the real position with Cllr Currie as a caretaker leader until the election takes place. The Cabinet has sadly not been pursuing Conservative policies and had recommended increasing the Council Tax which was the position of the Independent members. This is now the third year running that the Conservatives on Cornwall Council have achieved a freeze in the Council Tax saving the average Cornish household up to £100 per year. The party remains committed to keeping tax as low as possible for the Cornish taxpayer during these challenging economic conditions whilst delivering services as efficiently as possible.
ENDS
Contact: Fiona Ferguson 07731 548139