Council decisions to freeze residents' tax applauded
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has praised councils who are freezing council tax next year.
The Tory minister said authorities setting budgets without an increase in the levy from April had shown a "can do" attitude.
Information released by Mr Pickles's office showed Charnwood Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council are not planning to raise their portion of the council tax bill. Harborough District Council and Leicestershire County Council have agreed a freeze for 2013-14, although County Hall said bills will rise the following year.
The Government has set aside £450 million for councils to fund the freeze.
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Mr Pickles said: "I'm pleased an increasing number of councils are taking up the Government's deal to freeze their residents' council tax.
"I encourage all authorities still to decide to follow their example.
"Those that freeze bills are making a real difference."
Leicester City Council has rejected the Government's offer of funds to freeze its share of the tax bill.
From April, council tax in Leicester will rise by 1.97 per cent.
Deputy city mayor councillor Rory Palmer said: "Our view is it would not take away the need to make difficult decisions. It simply set them aside for the future."
7 Comments
by oldjohn
Sunday, March 03 2013, 3:59AM
“John boy.
You seem to have gone quiet.No comment on council employment.No comment on saying what a councillor has done.Even for you.No names proffered by anyone.Does the silence say it all ?”
by cjt72
Thursday, February 28 2013, 9:09PM
“Leicester City Council are actually planning to increase council tax by 2.01%”
by NickDiPerna1
Thursday, February 28 2013, 8:28PM
“Look Johnboy:
http://tinyurl.com/atdrcvy
I don't get any of these....”
by johnboy313
Thursday, February 28 2013, 8:05PM
“Oldjohn the councillors have done a lot a lot for the community, for me they have annoyed the likes of you.
And what Nicdiperna1 are these perks for council workers you claim exist???? I have never heard of them and know people who have worked for this council. Or is this just a lie.”
by democrat
Thursday, February 28 2013, 8:57AM
“'Deputy city mayor councillor Rory Palmer said: "Our view is it would not take away the need to make difficult decisions'
What difficult decisions have you and Peter taken that don't actaully involve spending more money and exorting more from us?
Leech”
by aristoc
Thursday, February 28 2013, 8:22AM
“A good comment from Pickles.
Definitely falling of deaf ears in Leicester.
Pocket stuffer united .”
by NickDiPerna1
Thursday, February 28 2013, 8:02AM
“The recent announcements that Leicester City Council is amongst the top three councils in the whole of the UK who pay staff more than £50,000 (with 459 people earning more than this figure), show where their priorities lie.
Also, recently we've seen cuts to the vulnerable, vanity projects being commissioned, council tax increases for the low paid and they still find cash to pay all council workers a minimum wage of £7.45 per hour which is a lot more than the 1000's of Leicester workers on low pay. There are lots of generous perks for council employees too. These bureaucracies protect themselves and shift blame towards the Government.”