Council Tax rise for residents in Rugby

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group on Rugby Borough Council, has written to the Rugby Advertiser following the decision by the Conservatives who run the Council to raise Council Tax and why Liberal Democrat Councillors did not support it.

Dear Editor,

Despite talk of a plan for the future, after 15 years of Tory control, the finances of the Rugby Borough Council are on a very difficult journey and have been for some time. At the full council meeting on 28 February 2017, Rugby Liberal Democrats Councillors did not support the Conservative budget for 2017/18, which will see a rise in Council Tax. We know there is less money to go round, but it's about how you choose to spend it.

At the County Council we've seen the Conservatives agree to implement a savage programme of cuts to children's centres whilst also choosing not to put an extra cash injection into adult social care which was on offer from central government. Now in Rugby the Tories have raised taxes whilst reducing services such as the fiasco over the green bins.

Last month they ignored our calls to find alternatives to keep the green bin service going. We believe now is the time to engage with the community and introduce participatory budgets so residents can decide what the spending priorities of this borough should be. Rugby Liberal Democrats believe there is a better way and we will continue to work hard to achieve it.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group on Rugby Borough Council