More Money, Less Efficiency at County Hall (20/12/02)

Consistently over the past 4 years Somerset County Council has increased council tax beyond what can be described as reasonable.All this extra money and yet the Government placed them as only ‘Fair’ in the CPA report.

Conservatives on the council have been looking at the council tax figures for the region as a whole, and comparing them with the ranking of the authorities.

Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, Colin Hill, commented, ‘What is particularly interesting is comparing the weak with the excellent councils.Conservative-run Dorset, for example, has consistently increased their council tax by less than Somerset, Plymouth or Swindon.And yet they are classed as ‘Excellent’.Swindon, which has been classed as ‘Poor’ has increased council tax excessively.

‘Clear messages can be learnt.Merely throwing money at a problem will not solve it.Also, if council tax is being pushed up, it might be to mask inadequacies and financial incompetence.’