While accepting the government's figure of a 6.7% increase in council tax is reflective of the assumptions at a national level, his arguing the technicalities of the figure does little to improve clarity for those who will pay it.
It is disingenuous for government ministers to argue for average council tax rises of 3% when their own planning assumptions assume a national increase of twice that figure.
The desire for low council tax increases remains the goal of all but beyond the reach of most, while at the same time service pressures continue to increase; education and social services resources are effectively ring-fenced; and the environmental, protective and cultural services block continues to be treated as a poor relation.
Phil Coppard
Chief executive, Barnsley MBC
Have your say
You must sign in to make a comment
Please remember that the submission of any material is governed by our Terms and Conditions and by submitting material you confirm your agreement to these Terms and Conditions.
Links may be included in your comments but HTML is not permitted.