Council tax to rise by 3.49% in Stoke-on-Trent
TAXPAYERS in Stoke-on-Trent are in one of only 31 council areas in England to agree higher tax bills from April.
City councillors last night approved a budget which increases council tax by 3.49 per cent but slashes £20 million from services.
The council is the only unitary authority in the West Midlands and Staffordshire to refuse a Government cash offer to freeze tax, and in doing so joins 30 other councils out of 353 in England.
Cuts will see 358 jobs made redundant and the axe will fall on everything from care homes to bus passes.
City councillors also rejected a last-minute motion tabled by Councillor Dave Conway, leader of the opposition City Independents, calling on council officers earning more than £50,000 to take a voluntary five per cent pay cut.
The Labour-run authority is cutting £20 million, raising £3 million from the tax increase and borrowing £1 million from back-up reserves to deliver a balanced budget.
Council leader Mohammed Pervez said the budget, which will see £4.6 million reinvested in Mandate for Change schemes to boost the local economy, is "bold, ambitious and innovative."
But his party faced a barrage of criticism from opposition councillors in a heated two-hour meeting.
Non-aligned member Paul Breeze said: "It is very easy to be bold with other people's money.
"You accepted the tax freeze offer last year, because you said it would be unreasonable to put a greater burden on residents in difficult times.
"But it's reasonable this year in even worse times, because it is not an election year."
Cheshire East Council yesterday agreed to freeze tax, while Staffordshire County Council and the region's district councils have also accepted the Government's offer to block increases in favour of a grant worth 2.5 per cent of their council tax income.
The budget was approved as The Local Government Association confirmed that council workers face a third consecutive pay freeze this year.
Mr Conway, pictured, told the chamber: "It's the same as last year – cut, cut, cut.
"Now the pensioners can't even get the security lights repaired outside their homes and the blind and elderly can't use the bus until after 9.30am."
Conservative leader councillor Abi Brown said the budget "attacks the vulnerable, needy and those who need us the most", adding: "I support invest to save but it is costing taxpayers £5 million; how about some common sense savings instead?"
Mr Pervez criticised the opposition for failing to submit an alternative budget, telling members: "I stand before you to present a budget that addresses not only deep cuts and cost pressures, but a budget that will invest in the Mandate for Change to protect the most vulnerable, stimulate economic growth and create much-needed jobs for our residents."
Residents in Band A properties will see their tax bill rise £26.60 to £788.97.
Protests cannot stop cuts to services across city
City council chief claims £132,000 post will attract 'high calibre' council assistant
47 Comments
View all
by ExMilitary
Tuesday, February 28 2012, 9:06AM
“Council Tax rise ........ Spending cuts draconian style ....... and they spend £200K + on a car park in Stoke for council staff ? Its disgusting they are so corrupt and it does not matter who is in power they all reap the cream the whole system "STINKS" anyone agree ?”
by I_Norris
Tuesday, February 28 2012, 7:17AM
“Read http://tinyurl.com/6mfvjt8 far fromdriving down costs John van der Laarschot has inceased costs Housing Repairs is now £5.5m over their budgeted figure and follows a £2.25m overspend last year. after #vanguard improved¿ the service”
by usversusthem
Tuesday, February 28 2012, 2:49AM
“Stokiemart
Eric Pickles as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has devolved power so that local government plays a vital role in representing the interests of its citizens, delivering and commissioning local services and promoting the Big Society. Local authorities also have a crucial role to play in ensuring that day-to-day services to their communities are efficient and effective, offer good value for money and deliver what people actually want. To achieve this, local government will be more transparent and accountable to its citizens.
The Localism Act includes a 'general power of competence'. Councils will be able to take action and get on with things they think will benefit their local area. The new power will give councils the freedom to:
• work together to improve services
• drive down costs
• enhance their local area
By cynically setting the council tax rise at 3.49% this council made sure that the opinions of the people of Stoke on Trent were ignored as they did not need to hold a referendum about the rise.
Over the years we have seen the terrible decline of traditional manufacturing industries which have been replaced by companies making millions of pounds profit whilst only paying minimum wages which attract in-work benefits. This means that the taxpayer is helping to fund their vast profits. Where are the high end jobs we keep hearing about? Sorry more retailers to come.
The last decade has seen the council tax rise by 51% whilst at the same time services have been slashed year upon year. Over this period the National Indices of Deprivation shows that this city has plummeted from the 34th to the 16th most deprived local authority out of all the 353 in the UK. Indeed if you read the councils own reports you will see that Stoke on Trent lags behind other authorities in terms of wages, health, education, job opportunities and more.
We also see various articles and reports regarding council officials riding rough shod over procurement procedures, being investigated by the police and making decisions and/or deals behind closed doors.
I don't know what other readers think but I'm sure that this council doesn't work together with its citizens to improve services. I certainly know that it doesn't drive down costs. It definitely has not enhanced our local area and it certainly hasn't been transparent and accountable to us, the people.
So I've taken the time and trouble to let Eric Pickles know that his endeavours are not being realised by our council and because he too is accountable to us, the people.
Alan Lear.”
by stokiemart
Monday, February 27 2012, 8:38PM
“As a self proclaimed champion of localism fat Eric's only possible response to the concerns of local residents in this area should be "let the people decide". Anything else would mark him as a hypocrite and who'd ever believe that of a Tory.”
by I_Norris
Monday, February 27 2012, 8:20PM
“Can anyone that gets a reply from Eric Pickles also post it here, please”
by fredthefrib
Monday, February 27 2012, 3:37PM
“usversusthem.
Email link worked for me.
Thanks”
by stokeandvale
Monday, February 27 2012, 11:07AM
“"VOTE LABOUR OUT AT THE NEXT ELECTION!" SHOW THEM THEY CANNOT DO WHAT THEY LIKE.
THAT IS THE ONLY OPTION LEFT TO THE COUNCIL TAX PAYER............”
by usversusthem
Monday, February 27 2012, 1:10AM
“As part of my interest in this story I'd just like to know if, like a few of us, you have sent an email to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
His email address is eric.pickles@communities.gsi.gov.uk
I really do hope that all the people complaining about this incompetent Labour council have taken a few moments to send him an email outlining their complaint(s) and asked their friends, family members etc. to do likewise. Let's fill his in box with that many emails from the people of Stoke on Trent that he won't be able to ignore the situation.
It would also be a good idea if you could just add a further comment saying that you have actually sent your email so that we know it's being done. Many thanks.
Alan Lear.”
by bigblockchevy
Saturday, February 25 2012, 9:01AM
“That eric pickles link didn't work for me,here's an indirect link if others have same problem you have to be registered with gmail though.Be true to yourself and get your complaints in if you genuinely feel that strong,you dont have to provide a list of this councils incompetence just state that something is wholly wrong with this council and they are not fit for purpose.I and family members/friends have submitted our complaints. http://tinyurl.com/y6cyxed”
by usversusthem
Saturday, February 25 2012, 2:38AM
“At a time when this council is raising the council tax and making cuts to services it can build a car park for 20 of its employees at a cost of £240k.
If like me, you are disgusted by this Labour controlled Council you can send your complaints to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Just to let you know that my e mail has already been sent regarding the above disgusting waste of public money.
I really do hope that all the people complaining about this incompetent Labour council will take a few minutes to contact him at eric.pickles@communities.gsi.gov.uk and fill his in box with complaints from the people of Stoke on Trent.
Alan Lear"”