Telford & Wrekin council tax bills to increase by 2.5pc

Residents across Telford & Wrekin will see the borough council portion of their council tax bill rise by 2.5 per cent from April after councillors approved the move.

The Mayor, Councillor Malcolm Smith, reminded councillors to treat each other with respect as claims and counter claims from opposite sides of the political spectrum became increasingly vitriolic during a debate over the rise last night.

Twenty-five separate councillors spoke on the ruling Labour group's plans for a 2.5 per cent increase in council tax as well as a package of service cuts and savings in the wake of a 27 per cent cut in government funding.

The motion was passed by a majority at the full meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council, with the Conservative group voting against the proposals.

The 2.5 per cent increase equates to 41p a week for a Band B property, which is the borough average, or 58p a week for Band D.

The decision to raise council tax was made after a month-long consultation and a survey in which 63 per cent of respondents opted for a rise, rather than take a £1.4 million government grant – the equivalent of a 2.4 per cent rise – in return for freezing it.

Councillor Andrew Eade, the leader of the Conservative group, said: "I accept that these are very difficult times for local councils.

"However, that's no excuse for breaking the previous strategy of low council tax and high investment.

"The decision not to accept the grant is a kick in the teeth for local people, many of whom will find this extra tax hard to pay. The decision hangs on a flawed survey which didn't ask whether the respondents were council tax payers."

In response to Councillor Eade's claim that the survey was flawed, Councillor Bill McClements, the cabinet member responsible for the budget, said when only the respondents in Conservative wards were considered, the percentage opting for a tax rise was still 62 per cent.

See also:

• Eric Pickles: Telford voters have no say on council tax rise

• Telford & Wrekin Council tax is going up 2.5pc

• We want to pay more council tax say Telford residents