A 3% council tax rise has been proposed by the Tory Cabinet of Kirklees’ hung council.
The Conservatives – the second-largest political group elected to the council, but running the authority through its Cabinet – has put forward the figure after what they said was “20 years of high taxation” compared with neighbouring towns and cities.
Leader Clr Robert Light said: “It is important to stress as we look to our budget strategy as a council, that Kirklees has always had historically high council tax.
“Our residents over the last 20 years have always paid more tax than those in Leeds, Wakefield and Bradford.”
At yesterday’s meeting of the Cabinet, the Tories put forward their budget for the 2008-9 financial year with a 3% increase set for three years.
Clr Light said it would mean the average householder would save around £100 a year compared with the national average. Bills would go up by 60p a week.
But the budget is an issue which will be decided by the full council on February 27 and the final bill will not be known until then.
The budget will also have to include charges for the fire and police authorities.
Central government funding for 2008-9 has been set at £65.4m – an increase of £5.6m on 2007-8.
But spending for children’s services has been dramatically cut, with £2.3m less in the pot.
Clr Light has vowed to use the budget to make improvements to public services.
He said provisions for children and former soldiers have already been made, while there will be extra resources for family intervention and support for vulnerable people.
The council leader said there would be £6m on top of the £14m already proposed to improve and maintain highways.
About £8m would be earmarked to improve cemeteries and £3m to improve town halls.
Clr Light added: “This budget will have a significant impact on every resident in the borough in a positive way.
“We will run this council in a proper business-like way – we are striving for excellence.”
Money will also be spent on a borough-wide ‘spring clean’, plans to acquire and refurbish empty buildings and homes and support for rural transport.
But the Liberal Democrats believe the budget plans do not go far enough.
Clr Kath Pinnock said: “Kirklees Council received a windfall £12m extra funding this year. Local people will expect better services in return for this money.
“I am concerned that budget proposals from the Conservative Cabinet feature nothing extra for older and vulnerable people.
“There is inadequate investment proposed for our roads.
“The budget doesn’t include anywhere near enough resources to tackle climate change.
“Finally, there is nothing set aside to ‘Honour the Covenant’ to ex-soldiers, even though Council backed our recent motion calling for funding for specialist services.
“I support any extra funding for young people and communities, but am surprised there isn’t more money being invested given the level of need across Kirklees.”
