Liberal Democrats attack Council tax increase of 16½%

12.00.00am GMT Tue 11th Feb 2003

Serge Lourie, Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on the Council, has launched a bitter attack on the Tory administration for their proposed council tax increase of 16 ½%.

Speaking at the Council's Strategy and Resources Committee he said: "I am appalled at the financial profligacy of this administration."

"This budget increase will hit people extremely hard. What makes it worse is that the massive increase is entirely unnecessary."

"The proposal on free parking will cost up to £800,000 and the temporary work on Twickenham riverside will cost the council up to £1,000,000."

"These are massive amounts at a time when the Council has received such a bad settlement from central government."

"We would use this money to prevent the Council charging £5 per day for attendance at day centres and we will be proposing that the public conveniences be kept open."

"We will be able to reduce the council tax increase by not transferring so much to reserves to enable the Tories to finance an election giveaway in future years."

"We were criticised by the Tories for not controlling the Council's budget. This increase is far higher than the more modest increases of the past five years when I was in charge of the finances."

"I think Cllr True should resign as the Cabinet member with responsibility for the budget. He and the administration have failed."