Council Tax Increase To Be Even Lower Than Expected

It has emerged today that Kent County Council chiefs have proposed a 2.44 per cent council tax increase for the next financial year - 0.41 per cent lower than was originally put forward by the authority last month.

Members of KCC's ruling Tory cabinet agreed the increase at a meeting this morning, with final approval due to be made by full council on February 19th.

Research last month by the Liberal Democrats showed that Kent County Council have had a lower Council tax rise in the run-up to EVERY one of the last 4 County Council elections and then after the elections in 1997, 2001 and 2005, Council Tax rises went back up again immediately afterwards.

Liberal Democrat Shepway District Councillor Tim Prater commented:

"This is just following the pattern of every other Council Elections. Each election year the council tax rise has been low, followed by a tax hike the following year.

"I will not be surprised if Kent's cynical Conservatives do the same thing again - the low tax rise election bribe of this year will be paid for by a bigger tax rise next year."