Jerry Roodhouse's Letter on the 2009 Council Tax

8.45.36pm GMT Sun 18th Jan 2009

I would agree with the comments made by Cllr Craig Humphrey that local Councils are this year facing a harder time in making budget decisions he states that he will keep council tax low and be prudent. Warwickshire County Council will be meeting on February 3rd to decide its level of Council Tax The Police Authority cannot set a high tax having been capped

Liberal Democrat Councillors have been meeting to consider budget proposals brought forward by Warwickshire's Conservative Cabinet who will be meeting again on January 29th to confirm their budget proposal. It brings forward massive cuts to voluntary organisations and also into county music service, youth work and preventive work with families.

Unlike Rugby, on Warwickshire council there is no one political party in control although the Conservative have more Councillors than any other group. This means that politicians will have to find common ground.

Liberal Democrats have and will continue to seek value for money and I am sure in these difficult times we all want to see low tax levels so it is with interest that I await to see if Conservative led councils up and down the land will follow George Osbourne and Conservative policy and freeze council tax for two years

Yours

Jerry Roodhouse Leader Liberal Democrat group

17th Jan 2009