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Ribble Valley Conservatives welcome public council tax 'veto' powers
Conservatives in the Ribble Valley have welcomed the Government's initiative to give the public a right to veto excessive council tax rises.
Coun. Ken Hind, senior vice-chairman of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association, said: "The council tax in the Ribble Valley is one of the lowest in the North West. Under Conservative administration, Lancashire County Council is working to make sure council tax rises are at the absolute minimum and, if possible, bring in a zero rate of increase this year."
Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has announced the public will be given the power to veto potentially excessive council tax rises.
"The power announced by the Government will curtail the excessive spending of some councils by increasing the democratic accountability of councillors to the electorate," explained Coun. Hind.
"Council tax bills across England have doubled since 1997, pushing the average bill to 120 a month on a Band D home. Under the new proposals, laid out in a consultation, any council that set its council tax increase above a set ceiling, approved in a democratic and transparent manner by Parliament each year, would trigger an automatic referendum of all registered electors in their area.
"Residents would be asked to choose between the proposed rise and a 'shadow budget', which the council must also prepare within the defined limit. A 'no' vote would leave councils having to refund taxpayers or give a credit at the end of the tax year.
"These proposals mean councils have to defend their budget decisions and bill increases to the local electorate instead of Whitehall."
Proposing the new measures, the Local Government Secretary said: "Hard-working families and pensioners were left feeling powerless and frustrated under the previous government, as council tax bills doubled while their frontline services like weekly bin collections were halved.
"This is a radical extension of direct democracy, as part of a wider programme of decentralising power to local communities. Power should not just be given to councils, but be devolved further down to neighbourhoods and citizens."
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Weather for Clitheroe
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
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