In a shock move, Essex Labour has condemned the Conservative County Council's plans to freeze Council Tax
Flying in the face of their own national leadership, who have already called for no Council Tax rises, Labour county councillors questioned Conservative plans to freeze Council Tax and dismissed it out of hand, at a time when many families are facing
the biggest financial hardships in recent history due to Covid-19.
“This just shows the rank hypocrisy of Essex Labour, trying to persuade people they care for their welfare and then condemning our plans to not increase their tax burden." ~ Cllr Chris Whitbread, Cabinet Member for Resources
Reacting strongly to Labour, Cllr Chris Whitbread, Cabinet Member for Resources, who presented the budget plans at today’s Essex County Council Cabinet meeting, said: “This just shows the rank hypocrisy of Essex Labour, trying to persuade people they care for their welfare and then condemning our plans to not increase their tax burden. Thanks to the strong financial prudence of Essex Conservatives and the help from the Conservative Government to support our critical services, such as older and vulnerable people and children, plus direct support for businesses, particularly catering and hospitality, we have been able to freeze the Council Tax for the year.”
Cllr David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, concurred, saying: “It is not right to hit people with Council Tax increases when many are facing one of the worst times of hardship because of the pandemic. As Conservatives, we will always put the needs of our residents first while ensuring our frontline services are maintained. Our track record proves that, and we will not hit people’s pockets unnecessarily.”
"As Conservatives, we will always put the needs of our residents first while ensuring our frontline services are maintained." ~ Cllr David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council
This is pure opportunism on the part of Labour. They would surely have condemned Essex Council Council had they raised their Council Tax precept. Basildon Conservatives congratulate our county colleagues on their proposal to freeze it. It is absolutely the right priority, during these difficult times for our residents, that local councils do all that they can to keep the burden on taxpayers as low as possible.
Basildon's Conservative county councillors will be supporting this freeze.