Lib Dems will deliver lowest tax rise for ten years

12.00.00am GMT Wed 17th Jan 2007

The Liberal Democrat-Labour administration on North Somerset Council will deliver the lowest council tax rise in ten years according to a leading councillor.

Mike Bell, the Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Finance and the man tasked with leading the budget setting process at the Town Hall, made the pledge following the tabling of budget amendments by Conservative and Green councillors at a meeting last night.

Councillor Bell said: "The Executive have worked hard with our officers over the last few months to identify savings and efficiencies to keep council tax down. Our draft budget indicated a council tax rise of 4% for the year from April.

"We intend to ensure that the rise is lower still when the final budget is presented next month. We will deliver the lowest council tax rise for ten years and we will show that we are listening to the concerns of local taxpayers by keeping the tax rise as low as we can.

"We know that we need to improve still further and we will keep working hard on behalf of local people to transform North Somerset Council into an authority that delivers on local priorities and does so efficiently and effectively.

"I welcome the amendments put forward by opposition groups and will consider them over the coming weeks. However, it is easy to propose amendments in opposition, knowing you will never have to deliver. I would urge residents to judge the political parties on their record, not just on their words.

"The Conservatives have never delivered a council tax rise below 4.5% in the history of North Somerset. But they do hold the record for the two highest increases - of 12% and nearly 16% in 2002 and 2003. Those facts speak for themselves."

Historical Context

Leading North Somerset Council since May 2005, Liberal Democrats have been able to reduce the rate of Council Tax rises, despite poor financial settlements and unfunded extra demands from the Government

Council Tax rises since 2002: (Lib Dem budget plans implemented in 2006/7 and expected in 2007/8)

2002/3 - 12% rise, Conservative administration

2003/4 - 15.7% rise, Conservative administration

2004/5 - 7.3% rise, Conservative + Liberal Democrat administration

2005/6 - 4.5% rise, Conservative + Liberal Democrat administration

2006/7 - 4.9% rise, Liberal Democrat administration

2007/8 - Less than 4% rise,* Liberal Democrat + Labour administration

• = (proposed in draft Executive budget)