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'Sweetheart deal' tax hike leader faces no confidence vote | 'Sweetheart deal' tax hike leader faces no confidence vote |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Calls for a Tory county council leader to resign over an alleged "sweetheart" funding deal with the government is to be debated, it has been confirmed. | Calls for a Tory county council leader to resign over an alleged "sweetheart" funding deal with the government is to be debated, it has been confirmed. |
A motion of no confidence in Surrey council leader David Hodge was tabled by the Lib-Dems after a row over the alleged council tax funding deal. | A motion of no confidence in Surrey council leader David Hodge was tabled by the Lib-Dems after a row over the alleged council tax funding deal. |
The council confirmed a debate will be held after claims the row had undermined the leader's credibility. | The council confirmed a debate will be held after claims the row had undermined the leader's credibility. |
The government has denied Labour claims Surrey was offered a "sweetheart deal". | The government has denied Labour claims Surrey was offered a "sweetheart deal". |
A proposal for a 15% council tax hike - which would have sparked a referendum in the county - was later dropped in favour of a 4.99% increase. | A proposal for a 15% council tax hike - which would have sparked a referendum in the county - was later dropped in favour of a 4.99% increase. |
The debate will take place at the first full council meeting since the rise was scrapped. | The debate will take place at the first full council meeting since the rise was scrapped. |
Council tax hike row: Live | |
After the row over the alleged deal erupted, documents were released by both the government and the council, and a leaked recording was obtained by the BBC. | After the row over the alleged deal erupted, documents were released by both the government and the council, and a leaked recording was obtained by the BBC. |
They detailed behind-the-scenes discussions that indicated ministers were offering "some extra funding", shortly before the council abandoned the proposed 15% rise. | They detailed behind-the-scenes discussions that indicated ministers were offering "some extra funding", shortly before the council abandoned the proposed 15% rise. |
Councillor Hazel Watson, Liberal Democrat leader, said Mr Hodge's credibility was being undermined by the revelations, including "leaked emails, text messages and secret recordings". | Councillor Hazel Watson, Liberal Democrat leader, said Mr Hodge's credibility was being undermined by the revelations, including "leaked emails, text messages and secret recordings". |
'Make no apology' | 'Make no apology' |
But Mr Hodge has vowed to stay and insisted he has the support of residents and members of the Conservative group. | But Mr Hodge has vowed to stay and insisted he has the support of residents and members of the Conservative group. |
When asked about the recording and released documents, Mr Hodge said: "I'm not responsible for what other people say. I'm responsible for fighting for Surrey County Council. I've set out all along we were looking for fair funding." | When asked about the recording and released documents, Mr Hodge said: "I'm not responsible for what other people say. I'm responsible for fighting for Surrey County Council. I've set out all along we were looking for fair funding." |
Mr Hodge, who was this month re-elected as the Conservative group leader for the next four years, said: "I make no apology for standing up for the people of Surrey. | Mr Hodge, who was this month re-elected as the Conservative group leader for the next four years, said: "I make no apology for standing up for the people of Surrey. |
"In fact the people of Surrey have said to me please continue to stand up for us. I will never ever stop standing up for the people of Surrey." | "In fact the people of Surrey have said to me please continue to stand up for us. I will never ever stop standing up for the people of Surrey." |