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Brighton's Green Party seeks council tax rise referendum | Brighton's Green Party seeks council tax rise referendum |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A referendum on a council tax rise of 4.75% to fund Brighton and Hove's adult social care services has been proposed by the city's Green Party-led council. | A referendum on a council tax rise of 4.75% to fund Brighton and Hove's adult social care services has been proposed by the city's Green Party-led council. |
The proposal is in response to central government cuts, and would be the country's first poll on a budget rise. | The proposal is in response to central government cuts, and would be the country's first poll on a budget rise. |
Jason Kitcat, leader of the minority Green Party authority, said the cuts meant it could not deliver the services it was elected to provide. | Jason Kitcat, leader of the minority Green Party authority, said the cuts meant it could not deliver the services it was elected to provide. |
It has the support of Green councillors but could be blocked by the opposition. | It has the support of Green councillors but could be blocked by the opposition. |
If Labour and the Conservatives both decide to oppose the plan, they could block it at a council meeting in February. | If Labour and the Conservatives both decide to oppose the plan, they could block it at a council meeting in February. |
'Most vulnerable' | 'Most vulnerable' |
Under rules set by the coalition government, any authority wanting to increase council tax by more than 2% must put their plans to a local vote. | Under rules set by the coalition government, any authority wanting to increase council tax by more than 2% must put their plans to a local vote. |
Since the 2010 General Election, several councils in England have talked about holding referendums, but none have actually done so. | |
The government has offered councils a cash incentive to freeze the tax, with Communities Secretary Eric Pickles previously saying they had a "moral duty" to do so. | The government has offered councils a cash incentive to freeze the tax, with Communities Secretary Eric Pickles previously saying they had a "moral duty" to do so. |
The 4.75% rise would be used directly to fund adult social care services, including care for the elderly, and grants to third sector organisations. | The 4.75% rise would be used directly to fund adult social care services, including care for the elderly, and grants to third sector organisations. |
Mr Kitcat said: "The coalition's cuts mean we cannot deliver the services we were elected to provide and which our consciences say we should provide. | Mr Kitcat said: "The coalition's cuts mean we cannot deliver the services we were elected to provide and which our consciences say we should provide. |
"We have no choice but to seek the views of local people on funding these services through a tax increase." | "We have no choice but to seek the views of local people on funding these services through a tax increase." |
He added: "We have so far been successful in saving tens of millions of pounds but we can no longer find enough efficiencies to absorb all the cuts. | He added: "We have so far been successful in saving tens of millions of pounds but we can no longer find enough efficiencies to absorb all the cuts. |
"Without today's proposal, I fear for the serious impacts on the most vulnerable in our city from the coalition's cuts." | "Without today's proposal, I fear for the serious impacts on the most vulnerable in our city from the coalition's cuts." |
'Costly referendum' | |
Mr Kitcat said other parties would need to decide if "they trusted the people of Brighton and Hove to make this decision. | Mr Kitcat said other parties would need to decide if "they trusted the people of Brighton and Hove to make this decision. |
"The Green administration I lead did not seek an election mandate to raise taxes in this way and in previous years I have opposed going down this route. | "The Green administration I lead did not seek an election mandate to raise taxes in this way and in previous years I have opposed going down this route. |
"But the unprecedented pressure on our budget from Westminster can no longer be absorbed, so we are seeking a democratic opinion from local residents - those who pay council tax and those who rely on the services it funds." | "But the unprecedented pressure on our budget from Westminster can no longer be absorbed, so we are seeking a democratic opinion from local residents - those who pay council tax and those who rely on the services it funds." |
Leader of the Labour and Co-operative Group on Brighton and Hove City Council, Warren Morgan, called on the Green Party to "set a realistic budget or quit". | |
He tweeted: "Residents of the city can't afford Tory cuts, but cannot afford a 4.75% increase when cost of living increasing above wages. | |
"A referendum will be lost, will cost the council a significant sum that could be spent on services." | |
In a statement, local government minister Brandon Lewis said: "This government has given local residents new powers to veto high council tax rises. | |
"We should trust the people. | |
"But Brighton's full council should also consider this government's council tax freeze offer - extra central funding is on the table for Brighton if it freezes council tax and helps hard-working people with the cost of living." |