Tories Should Use Extra Money to Keep Council Tax Down

10.00.00am GMT Tue 16th Dec 2003

Cash windfall must be spent wisely

The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on the 10th of December a £340 million increase in this year's provisional grant for county councils, of which Surrey's share is £7.3 million, according to the Council's figures. The Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council, Cllr Janet Maines says: "This is good news for Surrey residents who have been hit hard by Conservative Council Tax rises. The Liberal Democrats will put pressure on the Conservative Administration on Surrey County Council to use this money to keep Council Tax as low as possible, while making sure local services are protected. The Liberal Democrats have also recommended to the Conservative administration that they should put some funding into preventative measures that would keep the budget under control for future years."

Mrs Maines added, "This rushed announcement also makes clear how unsustainable and flawed is the current system of Council Tax. Any form of taxation must be related to ability to pay, Council Tax demonstrably is not such a system."