CAMDEN COUNCIL CUTS - Labour urged to rethink Council Tax freeze by own party - backbenchers believe that services “we were voted in to protect” could be saved from the axe.
Published: 06 January 2011
by RICHARD OSLEY
BACKBENCH councillors in the Camden Labour group have challenged the leadership not to stick doggedly to a freeze on council tax when the Town Hall is in desperate need of every penny it can find.
The New Journal understands that five Labour councillors have sought assurances from Camden’s cabinet of 10 senior councillors over alternative ideas for dealing with cuts to council budgets. It is the first sign of tension in the group since Labour was returned to power in Camden in May with backbenchers not chosen to join the executive adamant that their views on defending public services and fighting spirit will not be swept aside.
Labour finance chief Councillor Theo Blackwell has been asked why the council won’t raise tax to save services after being ordered by government to punch £100million out of council budgets in the next three years.
With a small monthly rise, backbenchers believe that services “we were voted in to protect” could be saved from the axe.
Several admit being moved by recent protests against public spending cuts that have taken place in Camden and feel an urge to be more visibly resistant to the demands to cut spending from Whitehall.
Cllr Blackwell confirmed last night (Wednesday) that he had been approached by a “small but strong” section of the party who were keen to explore the idea of tax rises.
And he said he himself was not wedded to the idea of freezing council tax again and again, as the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives did in the four years they ran the Town Hall.
But Cllr Blackwell said: “I’m open to the ideas but I don’t think taxpayers at the moment would forgive us if we asked them for more money before we had done all we could to improve efficiency at the council.
“If there are specific services that could be protected in the future by a rise in council tax we would look at it. We will have a group debate and a public debate.”
Local authorities will be rewarded by the government for not raising council tax this year with £2.5million in investment and there will be similar incentives in future years.
Cllr Blackwell added: “Perpetually freezing council tax was a gimmick by the last administration. We will have a discussion about what levels are appropriate.”