Bromley Council Tax Rise

12.00.00am GMT Thu 27th Feb 2003

Liberal Democrats on Bromley Council have criticised the Conservatives for hypocrisy after they increased Council Tax by £92 (for Band D homes), the largest cash rise ever in the Borough's history; despite Conservative claims in election literature last May that there would be "Lower Council Tax with the Conservatives".

Lib Dem Opposition Leader Cllr Chris Maines said; "It's a question of honesty. The Tories claimed they would lower taxes, instead we have the largest tax rise in Bromley's history".

Liberal Democrat Council Executive member Cllr Chris Gaster called for £700,000 more to be taken from reserves and spent on education. Cllr Gaster said; "One thing the Conservatives are good at in Bromley is underfunding schools. This year we have an opportunity to make a small dent in schools' underfunding. We budgeted for a 4% increase in teachers' pay, because the pay award turned out to be only 2.9% we saved 700,000 on pay and pensions; we should pump that straight back into schools. The borough's children and young people need to be given a good start in life".

Cllr Grace Goodlad highlighted a number of new stealth taxes being imposed by the Conservatives impacting on areas such as Special Educational Needs, car parking charges and charging of social services clients. Cllr Goodlad said; "The Tories are imposing a range of stealth taxes on some of the most vulnerable in the borough to cover up their budget failure. They are robbing the poor to pay the rich".

Liberal Democrat Prospective Greater London Assembly Member for Bexley & Bromley Duncan Borrowman attacked Ken Livingstone for the impact on Council Tax of his massive charge increase. Mr Borrowman said; "Since Mayor Livingstone took office, his demand on council tax payers has doubled, but there are no clear signs that he has delivered value for this extra money."

"Where are the extra police for Bromley? Where is our improved public transport? Ken needs to stop being a Zone 1 mayor and start looking at areas like ours."