Liberal Democrats in North Yorkshire today attacked the Tory County Council for proposing a council tax increase higher than that which they consulted residents on.

North Yorkshire County Council held consultations on a council tax rise of 2.5%. But today the Conservative-dominated Executive of the Council voted to recommend a 2.94% increase. This would generate an extra £1 million to pay for road repairs following the recent snow.

This will result in the County Council element of Council Tax bills going up by £30.18 a year for Band D properties.

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

“What is the point of consulting residents and then ignoring what they say?”

“The council consulted on a 2.5% rise. Few people who responded said it should be a higher rise than that.”

“This is a snow tax from the Tories. We all know the bad weather caused problems but the Tories could meet the extra costs from the £15 million the Council has stashed away in reserves.”

“Ordinary taxpayers are struggling with their finances and are right to ask why, with £15 million spare, the Council wants even more of their hard earned cash to put into their coffers.”