WILLIAM GRAHAM CONDEMNS
MINISTERS CAPPING THREAT
A media release by William Graham AM on 6th February
William Graham (Conservative AM for South Wales East) responding Brian Gibbons (Assembly Minister for Minister for Social Justice and Local Government) threat to cap Local Authorities and Police Authorities who levy council tax increases of 5%.
“Local Authorities throughout Wales have expressed their concerns that the Local Government Settlement figure is totally inadequate and will make it impossible for councils to maintain vital front-line services, in particular education and social care without making cuts.”
“Our local councils will seek to protect the services they provide, especially to vulnerable people. They will also ensure that any increase to council tax is carefully determined and explained to their electorate. Voters will demonstrate their support for their council’s policies in May’s local government elections”.
“The Minister should understand that the Assembly Government can not solve their budgetary problems by expecting council tax payers accepting cuts to their services.”
“The Minister must also acknowledge the specific pressures upon our Police Forces, their budgets were strained by Labour’s abandoned attempt to created a single Police Force for Wales”.
“I condemn the Minister’s threat to cap councils who determine council tax increases, greater than 5%, necessary to maintain front-line services”.
William Graham JP, AM
CHIEF WHIP, PARTY CHAIRMAN AND EUROPEAN SPOKESMAN
Email – William.Graham@Wales.gov.uk