Kirklees Council aiming at 3% tax increase

Jan 16 2009 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A TOP councillor has called for unity as this year’s council tax rise is worked out.

Kirklees Council leader Clr Robert Light appealed yesterday for parties to co-operate to limit the increase to 3% when the budget for 2009/10 is set next month.

But opposition politicians want to know: where are the missing millions?

Clr Light said: “We face the worst financial crisis in living memory and no-one knows just how bad this recession will get. People in Kirklees are facing real uncertainty and hardship and the last thing they need is their councillors fighting over the budget.”

The Conservative encouraged Labour and Lib Dem councillors to support a 3% rise in council tax.

Clr Light said: “We all appreciate the council has less money than it had last year, the Government has not allocated Kirklees any more money despite the recession which has seen the income from many of our fee-paying services drop dramatically.

“However that cannot be an excuse for high council tax increases. Other councils in West Yorkshire are looking at limiting their council tax increases to 3% and I believe the public will expect the same of Kirklees.

“We must try to help people in these dire times. Any increase of more than 3% in the council tax will send a clear message to everyone in Kirklees that the council is part of their problems not part of their solution.”