Lib Dems call for zero council tax rise, as compensation for Civic closure

7.00.00pm GMT Wed 21st Feb 2007

Cllr Vivienne Johnson & Cllr Sarah Di Caprio outside the Guildford Civic

At the Borough Council's budget meeting on 21st February, Liberal Democrat councillors called for a zero rise in the Borough council tax, paid for by the interest on money saved from the delay in reopening the Civic.

Lib Dem Finance Spokesperson Cllr Vivienne Johnson proposed to slash the Conservatives' proposed council tax rise to zero, to offer a little help to pensioners struggling on fixed incomes, and some compensation to all residents for the three-year loss of the facilities of the Civic Hall.

Cllr Johnson explained that applying more realistic estimates to the high levels of bank interest on the ever-growing cash that is stock-piling until the Civic Hall is rebuilt would give enough extra income this year to allow the zero rise in the Borough's share of council tax.

Proposing the Lib Dem budget, Cllr Johnson said "This Conservative administration has poured hundreds of thousands down the drain in the last four years, for example spending over £130,000 on plans and consultancy for their prestige project for a £1.5 million revamp of the council offices' reception area. And to add insult to injury they closed the Civic Hall prematurely, ignoring huge public opposition.

"The people of Guildford deserve a break. We could give them a zero rise in council tax just by taking account of how much interest the Council will receive over the coming year. Since the Tories took control, tax payers have paid over £2 million more than necessary to run council services. It will happen again this year, with fresh income due from several sources, such as the new hotel in the Civic Hall car park. Council tax payers should not be asked to pay for unrealistic budgeting."

The Lib Dem budget would pay for increased support for the voluntary organisation Guildford Action, hard hit by recent funding cuts, to help them maintain much-valued services such as the advocacy service speaking up for those in danger of losing their homes, and the drop-in centre for mums and toddlers. The Lib Dem budget also proposes to pay for high quality restoration of the setts in Guildford High Street, to restore Guildford's civic heritage. This would be financed by cutting the amount the Tories are spending on council spin and public relations.

Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Fiona White said "All residents have suffered under this Tory administration, whether by cuts to services for the vulnerable, the loss of the Civic Hall without warning, or simply by the waste of council tax payers' money on consultants and aborted prestige projects. It's time for the Tories to say sorry and give the residents some small compensation by agreeing a zero increase in council tax. And we want to restore some civic pride by starting the long-overdue restoration of our cobbled High Street!"