Lib Dems vote against Council Tax rise

Tonight local Liberal Democrats voted against Redcar & Cleveland Council’s unfair plan to increase Council tax by 3.5% this year.

The Labour Council turned down a grant of nearly £1.5 million from the Coalition Government to freeze council tax and voted to raise it by 3.5% instead – the highest increase in the country announced so far.

Across the country around 80% of councils have announced that they will freeze council tax this year.

Labour bosses provided no substantial justification for refusing the Government’s offer.

Liberal Democrats in Redcar launched a petition to put pressure on the Council’s ruling Labour Group to think again, but it was to no avail. They have obtained over a thousand signatures.

Liberal Democrat Council Group Leader, Glyn Nightingale commented:

“This is a slap in the face for local hardworking families.

“Very few people will see their wages go up by 3.5% this year. This is not the time to increase the burden of tax on local people. But it is inexcusable when Labour has been offered a credible alternative by the Coalition Government.”