Conservatives Vote Down Lib. Dem. Proposal for Lower 2.45% Tax Rise

8.17.03pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 3rd Mar 2006

Conservative Councillors voted down a proposed Lib. Dem. cut in the tax rise from 2.9% to 2.45%. The Lib. Dem. proposals would have also reversed many of the "mean" cuts proposed in the Conservatives budget for West Berkshire Council.

Speaking after the debate Cllr Denise Gaines said

"I was disappointed that Conservative members failed to vote with Lib. Dem. Councillors for a lower tax rise of 2.45%.

"We voted against the Conservative budget as it contains many mean little cuts such as forcing frozen meals on vulnerable pensioners, cutting funding for the libraries children's summer reading challenge, and increasing the risk of family breakdown by reducing respite care support. We will be closely monitoring the impact of their cuts and their value for money, given that the Audit Commission has already downgraded West Berkshire Council from 4/4 for use of resources when the Lib. Dems. were in control down to 2/4 since the Tories have taken over."