St Albans Council Tax Freeze to help local residents struggling with the impact of a Recession

3.48.00pm GMT Tue 3rd Feb 2009

St Albans District Council has announced a zero percent increase in its share of the council tax. The Lib Dem administration has always kept its promise to keep any Council Tax rise below inflation in marked contrast to the inflation busting rises imposed by the Conservative County Council.

This year with the recession impacting on everyone local the Liberal Democrat councillors felt that St Albans residents deserve every possible break. Accordingly they have scrutinised council spending rigorously to achieve this zero percent rise.

This is being achieved without damaging frontline services and without staff redundancies.

"Unfortunately three quarters of the council tax is set by the Conservative run Hertfordshire County Council" said Cllr Robert Lib Dem, LibDem leader of St Albans Council. "They have constantly imposed above inflation increases so their bill has risen by 50% in the last six years alone. Now we learn that this year they are again proposing an inflation busting 3.5%".

As well as freezing the Council tax demand, St Albans council is also looking at other practical assistance to hard-pressed local residents. Cllr Donald said "We are offering advice to those who are unable to make rent payments or meet council tax bills and residents entitled to housing benefit are made aware of how to claim. We are also seeking to freeze charges in many areas, one of which is that we are freezing the rents this year for market stallholders. We will also be asking Parish Councils who set their own council tax to keep any increases to a minimum. People have to feel that the council is on their side in these tough times".

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Sandy Walkington commented, "LibDems were the first party nationally to recognise that government cannot just expect to increase taxes when times are tough. Everyone has to draw in their belts; this achievement Lib Dems local LibDems of freezing council tax after several years of below inflation increases shows that Lib Dems can deliver when it counts. That a 0% rise is a small step in helping local people through the credit crunch".