Tories deliver national record low tax for Gloucestershire

Conservatives are celebrating today after passing the lowest ever council tax increase in Gloucestershire history.  The 2.9% increase, agreed at a council meeting at Shire Hall yesterday means that over the last 4 years, Gloucestershire has had the lowest council tax increase of any county in England.  In contrast to the previous Lib Dem and Labour administration, where council tax went up by 31.9%, since Conservatives took control in 2005, council tax has increased by just 14.7%.  In one year, 2003/4 Liberal Democrats and Labour increased council tax by 13%.

At the same meeting, Liberal Democrat councillors were strongly criticised for playing party political games, when they tried to propose unidentified further savings to the budget.  Without being able to say which directorates or services would be affected, the Liberals proposed £3m in cuts.  The move was criticised by Labour and Independent councillors, as well as Conservative.

Cllr Barry Dare, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council commented:

“Keeping tax down was one of the Conservatives key promises at the last election.  I am proud that we have delivered on it so strongly.

We still need to do more – I want to see taxes come down rather than increasing, even by less than inflation.  I will keep fighting to make this council more efficient, and for the Government to give us a fair deal, so that we can make that happen.”