York Conservatives have expressed deep concern that the LibDem-led Council have already concluded that council tax will be raised by the maximum possible eye-watering 4.99% ahead of their resident ‘Consultation’ even closing. There will be widespread shock at a time when residents have worries about the impact of Covid on their household incomes.
Conservative Group Leader, Strensall ward Councillor Paul Doughty said,
Many residents have just received their City of York Council ‘consultation’ survey in recent days and supposedly had until the end of January to complete and return them. Amongst the questions, some which were ‘loaded’ to extract the desired response in my opinion, residents were asked what percentage level increases in council tax they might find acceptable. With the intention to increase Council tax to the maximum possible 4.99% without a referendum apparently already decided ahead of the consultation even closing, shows just how much contempt the LibDem-led administration have for us all and are taking residents in York for fools.
This action from the LibDem Leadership surely undermines any trust in the Council. Citizens will ask themselves why they should bother responding to any such consultations, delivered to homes at taxpayer expense when on the face of it, decisions are taken before any such ‘consultations’ close. This is clearly a poor excuse for a PR exercise gone wrong and the LibDems should take a long, hard look at themselves for the harm they will be doing to trust in local government in York.
