LETTER - COUNCIL TAX RISE 12.9% (18/02/02)

Dear Editor,

Somerset County Council is setting a Council Tax 12.9% above last year’s level.

Together with the Police Authority increase of 14.8% and the District Councils’ increase, this will be the worst attack on the Council Tax payer’s pocket, in both percentage and actual monetary terms, ever.

As an Opposition County Councillor you would naturally expect me to deplore such an increase by the ruling Liberal-Democrats, and so I do. But on this occasion there is more than complete financial incompetency that is culpable.

The Government have found yet another way of raising their stealth taxes. They are instructing your local authorities to take over some of central government’s obligations, without providing the financial assistance for us to do the job adequately. Moreover, in areas where they remove the local authority’s responsibilities, they withdraw up to three times the amount of money that had been spent on them. Subsequently, money is taken away from other services.

Result? A question of reduced services or increased taxation. Double taxation in truth, because you have already paid the government for these services, through your income tax. The government has an agenda to promote Regional Government, which they will be able to control through their usual patronage system, ‘Jobs for the boys’. What better way to make an argument for the abolition of Local Authorities than to make them appear unviable and financially unpopular?

The Conservative Group are insisting on having a fundamental review of County Council costs and services. Not just the 10% tip of the iceberg, but a core examination of all services provided, their costs, whether they are statutory or not, staffing levels, budget allocations, etc.

In our everyday life we are now used to receiving improved and user-friendly services from the private sector and indeed even at reduced costs. Why shouldn’t we expect the same from our public sector providers?

Conservatives at County Hall are determined to see Somerset County Council thrive, providing value for money and high quality services to everyone in the County. If we begin to minimise costs and bureaucracy, it will not have to be a choice between the two. With determination and drive, we will achieve this.