Council tax only frozen for a year, who will pay next year??? Options

[Richard Garvie]

So Alan Law says the Conservertive administration should be congratulated for being able to "freeze" council tax for the coming year. Isn't it true that this has nothing to do with the local council, who have actually raised council tax by 2.5%??? It's only a grant from the Government that is freezing council tax for a year, but who will pay the extra 2.5% per tax payer next year?

That means that we face a council tax rise of at least 2.5% next year, so realistically it could be 3, 4 or even 5%??? Hardly the picture perfect image you present via the NWN then Cllr law!!!

[user23]

That means that we face a council tax rise of at least 2.5% next year, so realistically it could be 3, 4 or even 5%??? Hardly the picture perfect image you present via the NWN then Cllr law!!!

Why does it have to be at least 2.5% next year, if it's 2.5% this year?

I don't follow.

[Simon Kirby]

Why does it have to be at least 2.5% next year, if it's 2.5% this year?

I don't follow.

I guess the arithmatic is that the 2.5% government grant disappears and that creates a 2.5% deficit that needs to be filled.

Weren't we meant to be getting a 20% cut in council tax? Or am I getting confused? Was that a 20% cut in the grant which was meant to be covered by cuts?

[Richard Garvie]

I guess the arithmatic is that the 2.5% government grant disappears and that creates a 2.5% deficit that needs to be filled.

Weren't we meant to be getting a 20% cut in council tax? Or am I getting confused? Was that a 20% cut in the grant which was meant to be covered by cuts?

The grant from Central Government to West Berks is being cut by 28% over four years, so that money has to be found through savings and taxation.

As for point scoring, I was just highlighting that Alan Law claims that we should be praising the council for freezing council tax. Every council in the UK who raises council tax upto 2.5% will get a grant to cover it. The onlt thing is, with no grant next year, we will have to pay the difference. Unless of course the ruling administration cuts even further to ensure council tax in real terms falls by 2.5% from the coming year.

Either way, this council tax thing is happening because it is an election year. Has nothing to do with our local council in reality, and Alan Law is misleading people by claiming it's down to Graham Jones and Co.