Row erupts over idea to freeze Lancashire borough's council tax as plans slammed as 'wrong'

New budget recommendations, including extra cash for Clitheroe market and Ribblesdale Pool, have been supported by most councillors. But there are disagreements over council tax and final decisions will be needed at the borough’s March budget meeting.

The council’s latest Policy & Finance Committee considered various budget ideas and made recommendations. In one budget forecast, council officers had assumed a 2.99 per cent increase on the borough’s council tax, taking a band D charge of £170 to £175 - a rise of around 10p a week. The forecast also assumed similar increases over a few years.

However, Conservative Coun Kevin Horkin called for a freeze. He said: “I cannot support a council tax increase. We should be supporting residents at this time and leaving a good legacy behind us.”

But Labour’s Michael Graveston said: “I would support an increase. This would represent just £5 a year. That detail is sometimes lost in debate.”

He also claimed Conservatives were trying to change budget plans at a late stage, after much joint work across the council. He said: “Conservatives criticise the government for late changes and information, so to argue for a council tax amendment now, at this meeting, is hypocritical.”

He added: “Ribble Valley Conservatives froze council tax in previous years. But we need to leave our assets in good shape for the future. Last year, Labour argued extra money was needed for Ribblesdale Pool. But the Conservatives refused to raise council tax. Now, more money is needed for the pool, which will have come from reserves if we don’t raise council tax.

“Freezing tax has knock-on effects, year-after-year. We should be investing in projects that will really benefit the Ribble Valley in future.”

‘TINY PORTION’

Green Coun Malcolm Peplow agreed, saying: “Although council tax bills feature Ribble Valley Council’s logo, most money goes to Lancashire County Council. From every one pound , 76p goes to the county. Less than eight pence goes to Ribble Valley Council. It’s a tiny amount.

“We are providing some amazing projects. But it’s this tiny amount that will give local people lasting benefits, whatever happens with Lancashire council changes in 2028. It would be incredibly irresponsible to freeze our local council tax and risk jeopardising important schemes.”

Lib-Dem Mark Sutcliffe said: “I cannot support freezing Ribble Valley’s council tax. In the next two or three years, we will still have a revenue gap. Freezing council tax and taking money from reserves, yet again, would be wrong.

“I don’t think many residents are concerned about £5 a year, especially given the years of austerity we’ve had. Good services need protecting using revenue, not dipping into reserves.”

‘TORN’

But Independent Lee Jameson said: “I am torn by these arguments but I’m going to support the Conservative recommendation to freeze council tax . Yes, I think they mismanaged things by not increasing council tax in the past. That was wrong. And not charging for green waste collections was wrong because it could have raised thousand of pounds.

“But not everybody in the Ribble Valley is rich. There are people in Longridge counting every penny. Food banks have increased. That £5 is better in their pockets.”

Conservative Lee Street asked for more information why Clitheroe market could get a further £250,000, given it has already had recent investment. More details will come from a working group. Ideas could better-link the market with Clitheroe town centre, castle and the Holmes Mill complex.

Conservatives supported a council tax freeze recommendation. They said the council had good services and finances, thanks to Conservative control. So it had reserves to pay for key projects.