Wyre Forest council tax payers have been offered a break from council tax rises under a future Conservative Government. In his speech to the Conservative Conference in Birmingham, George Osborne, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, promised an incoming Conservative Government would offer a two year holiday from council tax rises - provided the local councils do their bit.
Wyre Forest's Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, Mark Garnier, explains: "Under the Conservative proposals, if a council holds its annual council tax rise to 2.5% or less, a Conservative Government will give that council an extra funding package equivalent to the cost of a 2.5% tax increase. That means, at the very least, a zero council tax rise for two years if the local Councils plays its part: a reduction if they hold rises below 2.5%. The Conservatives are committed to working together at every level to support the hard pressed tax payer."
The Conservative administration controlling Wyre Forest District Council has managed to hold District council tax rises at just 2.5% for the last two years, so under National Conservative proposals Wyre Forest would have seen no District council tax increase for the last two years.
"However," Mark continues, "Had we still had the previous Health Concern administration in charge of the District Council, where council tax rises were set at 5%, then there would have been no extra subsidy. This measure is designed to help councils who help themselves."
Cllr John Campion, Wyre Forest District Group Leader added: "The proposal really does represent value for money for the local taxpayer. We have seen locally food, energy and petrol prices rise dramatically, and we need to work together to make sure that Government and local Councils help fix the problems rather than add to the burden. This type of proposal helps local Government be fiscally responsible whilst maintaining and expanding important local services."