Council tax freeze is approved at budget-setting meeting (From Gazette Series)

Council tax freeze in South Gloucestershire is approved at council budget-setting meeting

8:30am Tuesday 28th February 2012 in News By Marion Sauvebois

FOR THE second year running, council tax will be frozen in South Gloucestershire saving the average household £93.

The freeze was approved by a majority of councillors at a budget-setting cabinet meeting last Wednesday who also voted in favour of injecting £5.6 million into elderly care over the next three years and a further £700,000 into communities in expansion.

The 2012/2013 budget will also see additional funding allocated to schools to improve their facilities and energy efficiency.

Yet, although passed by the Conservative-led council, the budget package was opposed by Labour councillors who claimed voting for the proposals would be tantamount to signing a "blank cheque".

Members said they were not against a council tax freeze but could not approve a budget which lacked critical details and information and did not appear to be sustainable in the long term.

Labour leader Cllr Andy Perkins (Woodstock) said at the meeting: "The council tax freeze has only been possible due to £5.6million so-called grants from central government given to councils who set a zero council tax.

"I cannot in all honesty stand here today and say that I believe this budget is sound. The detail is woefully lacking, it is certainly not transparent to anyone who is not experienced in dealing with budgetary matters."

As part of the new budget, the council plans to use its New Homes Bonus allocation to invest in infrastructure and support new initiatives in communities that have experienced housing growth.

Cabinet member for corporate affairs Cllr John Goddard (Con, Hanham) said the council tax freeze had saved "hard-pressed" families £93.

"The Conservatives were the only political grouping to unanimously support a repeat of the basic council tax freeze, which has kept almost £100 in the pockets of the average hard-pressed and hard-working household, as well as additional council funding for our most vulnerable residents.

"By voting against the budget, Labour councillors opposed helping hard-pressed households, opposed extra funding for elderly care, opposed school improvements and opposed rewarding communities that have seen new homes built."

But Labour were not alone in questioning the Conservatives' budget package. The Lib Dems, who put forward a motion to devolve more financial responsibilities to Area Forums, also expressed concerns with some voting for and others against the plans.

Cllr Claire Young (Lib Dem, Westerleigh) said: "People have stated concerns about the lack of information and detail in the budget – and I share them. We spent a great deal of time fighting to get the information we needed from the administration. More is required."