LIB DEM TAX AXE (29/09/03)

Lib Dems have launched an 'axe the tax' campaign, replacing council tax with a local income tax, but as Conservatives have pointed out, in Somerset County Council, the Lib Dems are in charge. It is the Lib Dems who set the council tax.

The many instances of Liberal Democrat inefficiency and poor management at County Hall, has resulted in a huge 'tax axe' that is being brandished at local residents.

Allen Cotton, County Councillor for Mendip South division and Conservative finance spokesperson, commented, 'Conservatives sympathise with pensioners in this country who are charged high council tax bills. There is no doubt that the Government is under funding our councils but it's down to the ruling group to run local government effectively.

'Lib Dems have suggested a local income tax would save money on administration costs. Don’t they realise that, being a low wage economy, Somerset residents would be worse off under this system?They should have a look at your own administration costs and try lowering them. Since they took control of Somerset County Council, council tax has gone up by 70%. That's an extra £400 that each household has to find.

'Also, they are playing into the Government's hands with their 'axe the tax' campaign. Unless efficiency improves, the Government will axe the County Councils. Liberal Democrats are too hungry for publicity to realise this. Chris Clarke who is leading the campaign is a perfect example. He has political aspirations well outside Somerset.'

Local Wells resident, Anne Hamilton, said, 'you never see Mr Clarke in Wells anymore. It's all about getting their face in the paper. They want to stop all this self-publicity and start doing something in their own county about the council tax that they are setting. It's always somebody else's fault.'