20/03/06 - Council Tax Set 05/06

The Council Tax for 2005/06 will rise by 4.8%, a stark contrast to the disgraceful Labour Council Tax hike of 42% in just 3 years.

This is the second Conservative set budget, following last years 3% rise. 

We aimed for 3%, and through cutting a huge amount of the endless waste and mismanagement of the previous Labour Council, we have not only kept Council Tax down, but increased spending on frontline services by £15.7 million.  In addition to increasing costs from central government, the Council like all households has been hit by huge hikes in ultilities prices.

Through good management we have ended Labour's annual Council Tax hikes, and taken Swindon Council from zero star rating (lowest possible) to 2 stars.

Since Labour came to power in 1997, Council Tax has doubled across the UK, with the Labour Government transferring services (and costs) onto the local tax payer, and only through hard work and strong financial management have we been able to stop the previous wallet busting Council Tax hikes which led to Labour being thrown out of control on Swindon Council.

On the night of the Council Tax setting, the Labour Group failed to put forward an alternative budget.  With four Labour Councillors having resigned under the leadership of Cllr Kevin Small (Western) Labour are nothing more than a squabbling rabble, with further Labour Councillors now only weeks away from being booted out by angry local residents.

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, North Swindon Parliamentary Spokesman, "Everything must be done to continue to drive out the endless waste and mismanagement of the previous Labour Council. Through good financial management we will do everything we can to deliver value for money, and continue to invest in improvement local services for local residents."

"Local residents have been let down by Labour for too long."