THE Tories like to remind us that there was a 42 per cent rise in council tax in Labour's last three years, true, but no cuts in services.
The Tories in 2004-5 had council tax at three per cent but cuts of £10.2m. In 2005-6 tax at 4.8 per cent but cuts of £9m. Without these cuts of £19.2m council tax would have been on their own admission 19.2 per cent in 2004-5 and 25 per cent in 2005-6. I make that a rise of 44.2 per cent in two years.
The tax of three and 4.8 per cent was due to Government capping councils at five per cent. If the Government continue to cap councils at five per cent it means that Swindon Council will have to find at least £10m each year to pay the bills and remember you are still paying more council tax than you were under Labour.
Now they are going to pay a new chief executive £195k a year (a rise of £45k) to run a town of 181,000 when the Prime Minister of the UK gets £178k to run a country of 60m. The mind boggles!
M J WARNER
Swindon
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article