Liberal Democrats at County Hall today branded the ruling Tories “callous and irresponsible”. This follows the Tories’ decision to impose a Council Tax increase of 4.75%, twice the rate of inflation. This means an increase of around £45 per year for a band D household.

The Conservatives voted against a Liberal Democrat amendment to the budget calling for a lower increase of 3.75%.

This year the County Council received a generous grant settlement from Government that was £3 million pounds more than expected. It also has £60 million in total reserves (compared with £26 million predicted two years ago) and is expecting to finish the financial year having underspent more than £7 million, an amount equivalent to a 3% tax rise.

The Government has warned local authorities that it expects Council Tax rises to be “substantially” below 5% or they will be capped. Capping means that the Government will set the Council Tax rate and the County Council will have to stump up the costs of sending out revised tax bills to council tax payers. This could cost up to £500,000.

The Liberal Democrats instead proposed a 3.75% tax increase, with a small element of reserves used to ensure no cuts to services.

County Councillor Bill Hoult, Leader of the Liberal Democrats at County Hall, comments:

“The wage earner in an ordinary family is looking at a 2% pay rise, heating and lighting costs rising by 15-20% and petrol costs at over £1 a litre. They will not understand why, having underspent by £7 million on this year’s budget, the Tories are imposing such a huge tax increase of double the inflation rate.”

“The Council is also taking an incredible risk in challenging Government guidance. It is ludicrous to suggest that 0.25% is substantially below 5%. With the Council’s good settlement and massive reserves it is asking to be capped.”

“The Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign for the unfair Council Tax to be abolished and replaced by a fair alternative based on ability to pay.”

Conservative and Labour councillors at County Hall today joined forces to defeat a Liberal Democrat motion which would have allowed North Yorkshire’s school pupils to directly elect their “Young Peoples’ Champion”.

The Liberal Democrat councillors think that it should be the young people who vote for the councillor they want to represent them and not left to the Executive of the Council.

But the Conservatives, and all but one of the Labour members present, voted down the Liberal Democrat motion at the Council meeting today.

“I am very disappointed that the Conservatives and Labour have thrown away this excellent opportunity to involve our young people in the democratic process.”

“Again we see stale, unimaginative leadership at County Hall from dyed-in-the-wool Tories who are not open to new ideas.”

Stokesley Lib Dem County Councillor Caroline Seymour seconded the motion, adding:

“This would have been a way to encourage young people to learn about and take part in the democratic process and would have cost very little to do. It is a great shame that this opportunity has been missed.”

The County Council Champions will now continue to be appointed by the Conservative-run Executive of the Council.

At the meeting of the County Council on 20 February, local Lib Dem Knaresborough councillors Richard Hall and Bill Hoult got unanimous support to demand the keeping open of Aspin Lane Post Office in the town.

Speaking at the meeting, Lib Dem County Councillor Richard Hall said:

“If Aspin Lane Post Office closes, it would leave one post office in the town centre. Knaresborough is a large, growing town of 15,000+ residents.”

Councillor Hall went on:

“Aspin Lane Post Office was never in the original closure proposals by the Post Office. Instead, arbitrarily, it has been brought forward for closure because the one in Cold Bath Road in Harrogate is to remain open.” 

“North Yorkshire County Council, in its demand to keep Aspin Lane Post Office open, has given valuable support for the growing campaign by Knaresborough

Councillor Bill Hoult, who also represents Knaresborough for the Lib Dems, said:

“This unanimous support from the County Council will be reported to the town meeting on 3 March at 7pm in Gracious Street Methodist Church, Knaresborough.”

“I am confident that it will help the Knaresborough community campaign to stop this closure.”

Liberal Democrats at North Yorkshire County Council today demanded to know why the ruling Conservatives have cut routine gulley clearing from twice a year to only once.

This is in spite of the heavy rainfall which caused horrendous flooding in Craven last month.

The Tory portfolio holder, Cllr John Fort, said that the whole area was being looked at, but did not promise a restoration of previous service levels.

Airedale County Councillor Mark Wheeler, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats at County Hall, comments:

“Cutting this service is an abdication of responsibility. The Tory Council is failing local residents.”

“With climate change likely to increase the amount of flood risk in future, surely the County Council should be increasing the amount of gulley clearing, not decreasing it.”

“I can only hope that when this matter is looked at again, common sense will prevail and the Council will properly fund this vital service.”

Liberal Democrats at North Yorkshire County Council today demanded action on progressing the modernisation of day services for people with learning disabilities in Craven.

Since 2004 promises have been made that clients currently housed at Snaygill would be re-housed into suitable new accommodation.

This project was due to be in place by summer 2006 but is no further on.

Craven District Council had agreed with North Yorkshire that an extra building would be added on the land at Stepping Stones (Aireville Park) but Craven are still waiting for North Yorkshire to agree the final terms and conditions for the lease.

In the meantime, carers’ representatives were advised in January that there would be no accommodation going ahead on this site as it was far too expensive.

At today’s meeting of the Council, Skipton County Councillor Polly English today demanded to know just who is making these decisions, and commented:

“As the local ward member I have been kept completely in the dark.”

“We are failing the most vulnerable in our society.”

“Snaygill is due to close on 30 June 2008 and no decision has been made as to where we can safely house the service users.”

Both Champions are currently hired and fired by the single party Conservative Executive that runs the Council.

The Liberal Democrat Group think that, particularly for the Young Persons Champion, it should be the young people who vote for the councillor they want to represent them and not left to the Executive.

A motion is being put to the next Full Council meeting on the 20 February proposed by Councillor Bill Hoult (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) and seconded by Cllr Caroline Seymour (Liberal Democrat spokesperson on the Young People Scrutiny Committee).

Councillor Bill Hoult (Knaresborough) explains:

“This creates a great opportunity to involve young people in the democratic process, something the County Council and the Government are striving to do.”

“We think it is wrong that the appointment or dismissal of these champions is at the whim of the Executive which will act like a gag if the person wants to keep his/her job and allowance.”

“The person elected should be able to speak up for young people without always looking over their shoulder in case they are sacked by their political masters. That is real democracy!”

 Cllr Seymour adds:

“This is just the right time for action on this. District Councils in North Yorkshire are working with the County Council on Youth Participation Plans.”

“The Local Government Association, of which I am a member, is promoting a Local Democracy campaign called “sending the councillor back to school”. What better way of encouraging young people to become involved than letting them elect a representative?”

The motion also proposes that elections for the Elderly Persons Champion should also be instituted following agreement on the electorate and the electoral system.