The Medium Term Financial Plan says that after the 7.5% council tax increase this year, residents are expected to face another 10% increase next year and then 5% the year after. Yet the report itself states that further increases will be required to close the gap to the national average council tax, using the full flexibility the government has provided.
Ten percent and five percent will not get us to the national average, so the numbers presented simply do not add up.
I emailed the Lead Member about this in advance, but the figures remain unchanged.
Council tax does need to rise, and we should be honest with residents about that. But increasing council tax while debt continues to grow cannot be the only answer.
We must continue to put pressure on government over fair funding, and even consider legal action if necessary. At the same time, we must take responsibility for the decisions within our own control.
We need to be stronger in our negotiations, whether that is over Home Park or property deals such as Windsor Yards. We must stop leaving council buildings empty and deteriorating, like Siena Court, or standing unused for months or years, as with John West House.
We also need to address the growth in statutory spending. As Teresa Grant said, this is something we can and must tackle. So far, we have not listened to that advice, and I do not understand why.
Above all, we need to act with urgency, because the situation is getting worse.
Over the past three years our financial position has deteriorated significantly. We have fallen further behind year after year.
It is clear that we need a change of direction. RBWM is being led the wrong way, and now is not the time for another budget that does not fully reflect the reality of the challenge ahead.
Thank you.
A video of my speech can be found below – if you want to watch the whole meeting you can find it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hJ0ZzMh7bc
Cllr Jack Douglas
St Mary’s ward