Figures released today show a huge gap in the budget proposals put forward by Redcar & Cleveland’s Labour Council Group.

Labour regularly increased Council Tax when in control, and in 2012 gave Redcar and Cleveland residents the biggest Council Tax rise in the country.

This year, local people will get a cut of 1% for the first time in history. This has been done by the new Liberal Democrat/Independent administration without cutting any services.

Labour’s proposals, made at last week’s budget setting meeting of the Council, would require £2.778 million to be taken from the council’s reserves. It would also mean the Council having to find another £3.515 million in extra savings.

Councillor Mary Lanigan, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council (Independent) said:

“The hypocrisy of the Labour Party is breathtaking. At the budget setting they accused Lib Dems and Independents of a “cash grab” on reserves, but our use of reserves is a drop in the ocean compared to these figures.

“The new Coalition running the council is working hard to ensure a fairer deal for Council Tax payers, who have been stretched in recent years by ever-increasing Council Tax bills. And all because of Labour’s refusal to accept the grant from Central Government for freezing Council Tax.”

Councillor Josh Mason, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for the Redcar Constituency and Deputy Leader of the Council, added:

“Whilst the Labour Party has been tearing itself apart, the rest of us have been doing our best to ensure that the Council delivers the services people expect at good value for money.

“We have been delighted to be able to deliver a Council Tax cut this year with a view to delivering a stronger local economy, a fairer deal for Council Tax payers and keeping our area on track.”