The City Council will tonight (20 January) debate and decide its precept for the next financial year.
14% has been recommended by the Policy & Resources Committee; by the casting vote of the Chairman.
A massive increase, when wages have been frozen, utility bills are rising and the Trussell Trust are at bursting point, giving out food boxes to the needy in our City. Our own residents are having to make tough decisions; some whether to ‘eat or heat’ and making cut backs of their own.
Hasn’t the time come for councils to live within their means? No-one who I have spoken to in Harnham wants council tax in rise. Residents just don’t have any spare cash to throw at a local authority.
I have been fighting for 0% in the debate and will listen to the debate this evening. I am aware that the Tory group are going to make amendments and have heard that it may be a higher increase, but this is not confirmed. Anything above (a maximum) £5 a year increase will be unacceptable.