Conservative Borough Councillors Agree Below Inflation Council Tax Rise

Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Dan Byles yesterday attended the budget vote at North Warwickshire Borough Council in Atherstone - and praised councillors for agreeing a budget that sees no cuts to services and no job losses despite a below inflation Council Tax rise of 2.4%.

Speaking after the debate, Dan said: "North Warwickshire is still suffering badly from a recession which hit us harder than most of the rest of the country. Too many people have lost their jobs, and everyone is struggling to pay their bills. That's why I am delighted that the Council have agreed a below inflation Council Tax rise for this year, despite the unprecedented squeeze on local Government finances.

"It was disappointing that not a single Labour Councillor supported this budget, and three voted against it. I find that bizarre, given the string of Labour Councillors who had the decency to stand up and support almost every measure contained within the budget itself.

"At a time when local authorities elsewhere in the country are cutting services and laying off staff, North Warwickshire now have a budget which will see no service cuts; no staff losses; more money for the Area Forums to spend on local education, health and rural access projects; improvements to the Borough's housing; and a significant rise in the concessionary taxi voucher scheme for our vulnerable citizens.

"The taxi scheme in particular, which was controversial at the time, has seen help for those who need it rise from £25 under the old token scheme, to £60 for individuals and £90 for couples under the new scheme.

"So well done to the Conservative Councillors who wrote and voted for this well crafted budget. And what a shame that our local Labour councillors stood to support it verbally but abstained or voted against it in some sort of petty political game playing."