01/12/07 - Cllr Mel Duff, Conservative Action On Council Tax

Labour hiked Council Tax a disgraceful 42% in just 3 years on Swindon Council.  Labour did not care how this affected local residents, in particular those on fixed incomes such as pensioners who struggled to pay these bills.

Year on year the Labour Government underfunds local Councils, whilst adding additional costs - leaving the local Council Tax payer to pick up the tab.

For example this years annual settlement is expected to be approx 1%.  Labour MP's would claim this is an increase, yet it doesn't even cover the cost of inflation, or the additional costs of an ageing society on Adult Social Services etc.  To stand still the Council will need to find approx. £9m worth of savings thanks to Labour.

Action On Council Tax - Cllr Melanie Duff has helped the Conservatives end Labour’s disgraceful annual Council Tax hikes, delivering Council Tax inline with inflation.  Every last penny is being scrutinised to deliver value for money.

Action On Town Precept – Cllr Melanie Duff has helped deliver a Town Precept inline with inflation, and even frozen on one year.  Every last penny is being scrutinised to deliver value for money.

Cllr Mel Duff, "Everything must be done to keep Council Tax bills down and it is only the Conservatives who will deliver value for money - the very least local residents should expect."