Lib Dems Slam Labour-Tory Pact To Raise Fire Authority Tax (Scarborough and Whitby Liberal Democrats)

Scarborough and Whitby Liberal Democrats <info@scarboroughandwhitbylibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems Slam Labour-Tory Pact To Raise Fire Authority Tax

December 14, 2009 4:19 PM

Liberal Democrat representatives on North Yorkshire Fire Authority have slammed Labour and Conservative Councillors for voting in favour of a 2% increase in the Fire Authority element of Council Tax, despite being told a 1.1% increase would be enough.

Fire Service finance chiefs told Councillors that a 1.1% increase in the Fire Authority element of Council Tax would deliver a balanced budget for 2010/11, with reserves of almost £4.8m to cover unforeseen circumstances.

However, Labour and Conservative Councillors voted together, preferring to assume a 2% increase when the budget goes out to public consultation.

The move came despite more than £500,000 of expenditure, due for 2010/11, being moved forward into this year to use up an under spend from the 2009/10 budget.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Caroline Seymour, who represents North Yorkshire on the Fire Authority, said there was no justification for a rise above 1.1%.

She said: "The budget presented by Fire Service Officers provides for an extra £800,000 from this years budget, £250,000 of which is not currently committed to anything specific."

"There is enough extra money available, especially given that more than £500,000 that was due to be spent next year has been moved to this year's budget."

Councillor Seymour continued:

"In this time of economic hardship for many ordinary families, public bodies ought to show more restraint. The Fire Authority is in pretty good shape financially and I can't see a reason why there should be a higher than 1.1% rise in Council Tax."

"These proposals will now go out for consultation and I would encourage residents to make sure they have their say."