The Conservative Group on Cornwall Council believes it is wrong to be increasing Council Tax for hard pressed Cornish households. As a result we have tabled an amendment to the Budget for 2013/14 that will allow the Council to freeze Council Tax for the coming year.
The coalition Government have offered all councils a grant to assist them in freezing next year's Council Tax. For Cornwall this grant comes to almost £5m over the next two years. We believe that it is right to take this grant and not increase the burden on the Cornish taxpayer.
Conservative Group Leader Fiona Ferguson said, "we appreciate that the Cabinet have recommended that the Council increase the tax by 1.97% and their reasons for this. However the position of the Conservative Group is clear, that we should take the money being offered by the Government and hold the Council Tax at the current level. In these difficult times for families across Cornwall it is right that we do all we can to not increase the tax burden on them. We have had to work very hard to find the additional savings but I believe the proposals we have come forward with are reasonable and achievable. I hope that all Councillors will carefully consider our amendments to the budget and support a Council Tax freeze on 26th February.
In order to freeze the Council Tax further savings of just under £2m need to be found from the overall budget of £500m. The proposals put forward look to make these savings through the Chief Executives Department, Workforce development, reversing the 20% increase in Members' Allowances and back office efficiencies within Economic Development.
Cornwall Council will be voting on the 2013/14 Budget and Council Tax at their next meeting on 26th February.
ENDS
Contact Fiona Ferguson 07731 58139 (Conservative Group Leader)