Distorted Tory Spin on Taxes Continues!

10.23.07am GMT Sun 31st Oct 2004

The Truth about the Tory Council Tax Record in Surrey Heath

David Whitcroft, Leader of the Lib Dem Group on Surrey Heath Borough Council has put the record straight - again! - on Tory claims about Council Tax …

He writes ….In recent comments erstwhile London resident, Michael Gove, the Surrey Heath Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, clearly demonstrates his lack of a Surrey Heath background!

In his attack on the Liberal Democrat Council Tax record and my part in it, Mr Gove cites figures that refer to 'metropolitan districts bills'. Surrey Heath, Mr Gove, is NOT a 'metropolitan district' - it is a Surrey Borough!

Mr Gove is, of course, unable to make up for his total lack of local knowledge by discussing matters with current Tory MP, Nick Hawkins, who Mr Gove has so unceremoniously usurped.

A more relevant figure than those quoted by Mr Gove, which are meaningless to Surrey Heath residents - are those provided by ODPM Minister, Nick Raynsford recently which rank the Council Tax increases levied by County Councils during the 2001 to 2005 period. These establish that the 39.9% increase in Band D Council Tax levied by TORY CONTROLLED SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL is the highest increase of ANY County Council in the country for the period.

At Surrey Heath Borough level, Conservative Council Tax increases over the past three years have totaled 44.2% compared to the Liberal Democrat equivalent proposals of just 7.9%. All Lib Dem tax proposals, incidentally, are put together in line with guidance provided by the District Auditor by a CIPFA qualified Accountant. There is, therefore, no question at all, as suggested by Mr Gove, of Liberal Democrats 'raiding reserves' and 'mortgaging the future'.

Mr Gove might find it a useful exercise in improving his grasp of Surrey Heath issues by undertaking a study of the Reserve position at Surrey Heath Council? At the same time he might like to consider why - against this background of crippling Council Tax increases - Tory controlled Surrey Heath Council is officially rated as the worst in Surrey by the District Auditors. Maybe he could then provide a further, more considered view based on the facts rather than the distorted political spin contained in his recent comments?