Liberal Democrats call for Council Tax Freeze

5.47.53pm GMT Wed 20th Feb 2008

Kingsley Road Park - The Lib Dems want to improve facilities like these

The Liberal Democrat Group are calling for a Council Tax freeze in North Wiltshire.

"Householders face another increase in their Council Tax bills from the Conservatives. We will oppose it" said Lib Dem Opposition Leader Sylvia Doubell.

North Wiltshire has a one off opportunity to help hard pressed Council Tax payers because of the move to scrap the Council and create a Unitary Authority in 2009 for the whole of Wiltshire.

"The previous Liberal Democrat led Council had built up healthy reserves. Now the Council is going to be scrapped these will not be needed. This money should be used to help all Council Tax payers through the freeze and on some special projects to help children and communities" added Cllr Doubell.

The Liberal Democrats will propose an amendment to the 2008/9 Council Budget at the Council meeting on 26th of February. This will call for a freeze in the Council Tax and extra capital money to be spent on children's play areas, £90,000 to provide equipment for young people with disability and £90,000 for general refurbishment plus £50,000 for 30 extra car parking spaces in Cricklade to help with the general sustainability of the town centre where parking is in very short supply.

North Wiltshire Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Mike Evemy said "We want to axe the unfair Council Tax. Until we can make that happen all Councillors should support the Lib Dem amended budget as the best way to help Council Tax payers in North Wiltshire".

Duncan Hames, Prospective Chippenham MP added: "The Labour government has broken its promise to reform the council tax. It has decided not to respond to the £3,000,000 Lyons report which it set up in 2003. The Liberal Democrats are the only party committed to scrapping the unpopular council tax altogether."