Council Tax setting – Council meeting 4th March 2022; why we will not support a higher Council Tax.
Herefordshire Council is not Conservative controlled.
The opposition Conservative Group will not vote in support of setting a higher council tax this year. At a recent Council budget meeting the Conservatives proposed a zero increase in the council tax. We did this in order to help households that are already facing the challenges brought on by the rising cost of living.
The Green Coalition in charge of Herefordshire Council rejected this proposal and instead voted for a 2.99% rise. This increase will add to the financial pressures on household budgets right across Herefordshire. The Conservatives identified the monies the Council could use to balance the budget without asking tax payers for more.
Remember that even after the Council received additional funding from the Conservative Government the Green-led Coalition raised the council tax by 4.99% last year.
‘We were very disappointed that our proposal this year to freeze the Council Tax was rejected. Now is not the time to make further demands on council tax payers who face the increased costs of fuel and energy bills. The Council already has the money; demanding 2.99% more at this time cannot be justified.' Cllr Jonathan Lester, Conservative Group Leader.
