Brentwood Conservatives are set to reduce Council Tax in 2014, making them just one of three councils nationally so far to make such a pledge, and gaining the borough national recognition and media coverage.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Louise McKinlay reaffirmed the commitment made in February 2013 that Conservatives on Brentwood Council will be cutting council tax in 2014.
Residents were shocked last year when Brentwood West Liberal Democrat councillor, Karen Chilvers took to social media to casually describe the previous Liberal Democrat administration's 19% council tax increase in one year as "peanuts".
Cllr McKinlay said, "Conservatives in Brentwood recognise the financial pressures our residents are under on a day to day basis and have tackled this by cutting and freezing council tax in Brentwood. We cut it in 2012, froze it in 2013 and will be reducing it even further this year. This is in stark contrast to the previous Liberal Democrat administration which hiked Council Tax bills by up to 19% in a single year. The Conservatives’ strategy is part of a long term commitment to lower Council Tax bills in Brentwood, whilst still investing in services that matter most to residents."
Brentwood's Member of Parliament, and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles said: "I'm delighted that Brentwood has decided to cut council tax for another year. Council tax more than doubled under the Labour Government but many Conservatives in Government have worked to freeze council tax, helping hard-working families and pensioners with their cost of living. Over the last three years, council tax bills nationally have fallen by almost 10 per cent. Conservative councils continue to provide lower levels of council tax than Labour or Liberal Democrat councils."
Cllr McKinlay added, "The track records speak for themselves. Brentwood Conservatives have delivered a real term cut of c.15% in Council Tax since the recession started, whilst still increasing quality services at the same time. Council Tax bills more than doubled under the Lib Dems when they last ran the Council and given their recent criticism of our announcement to cut Council Tax again this year, many are already saying that they believe the the Lib Dems would seek to hike bills again should they return to power. It’s now several weeks since the Conservatives confirmed this Council Tax cut, and all the Opposition have done is to criticise us while failing to say exactly what they would do. This lack of clarity cannot rule out a return to the Lib Dem ‘hike up Council Tax’ policy of the past as they spend your money on their priorites, which would be devastating for too many Brentwood residents."
Since 2010, despite reductions in government grants, Brentwood Conservatives have kept Council Tax bills down while increasing and improving services and delivering better value for money to taxpayers. More is being spent on street cleaning, there are additional recycling options, cheaper parking opportunities, support for community projects has also increased and the Council is operating more efficiently.
Cllr McKinlay said, "The budget conditions remain challenging but through prudence, sound decisions and streamlining, we have secured the future of services, which are important for Brentwood residents. We are in the final stages of the budget preparations and I am proud that we are able to deliver good, quality services, invest in our town and cut Council Tax at the same time."