HIGH tempers over proposals to increase council tax above the legal limit caused chaotic scenes at a full council meeting.
A war of words ensued between opposition councillors and the ruling Labour Group at Slough Borough Council as it passed plans to hike the levy by 9.99 per cent, which is five per cent above the cap.
The government gave the council and two others special dispensation to hike council tax above 4.99 per cent without holding a local referendum to help fix its financial woes.
Slough Borough Council effectively declared bankruptcy in 2021 after racking up a £760m borrowing debt and a £357m deficit. Along with the tax increase, it has to sell up to £600m of assets and make gargantuan annual savings by the end of the decade.
READ MORE: Slough agrees nearly TEN PER CENT rise in council tax
Speaking at a full council meeting on Thursday, March 9, Cllr Rob Anderson (Lab: Britwell & Northborough), lead member for financial oversight, said this increase was needed to boost Slough’s relatively low council tax base.
However, he insisted the council will still be cheaper compared with other Thames Valley local authorities and if plans work out, the local authority will be financially stable by 2028.
But Conservative leader Dexter Smith said financially struggling residents are having to pay the “cost of Labour” and for its financial failings.
He said: “We have wards within this town which are amongst some of the most deprived in the country.
“To be coming to them at this time, which has been so painful in terms of Covid, lockdown, and then the bankruptcy of the council, to hit them with this council tax increase is just appalling.”
Council leader James Swindlehurst (Lab Cippenham Green) criticised the opposition for offering no amendment to the Labour’s 2023/24 budget nor did the Conservatives or Independents put forward an alternative budget.
He labelled the opposition as an “idea-less zone,” adding: “Interestingly again, the only proposal tabled was the one that came from the Labour Group. None of you did the work, you just did your usual moaning and complaining.”
“We remain a value for money good authority that is cheaper than all of our Conservative neighbours,” Cllr Swindlehurst added.
“That’s our offer and we are happy to put that to the town.”
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He was later called a “fat pig” by Slough resident and Tory activist Steven Gillingwater, who asked if Cllr Swindlehurst wanted to “go outside”. His comments were due to some Labour councillors snickering at the opposition’s speeches.
The mayor, Cllr Dilbagh Parmar (Lab: Cippenham Meadow) managed to get the meeting back on track.
Independent Cllr Madhuri Bedi (Foxborough) said the residents are “getting nothing” from the 9.99 per cent tax rise, citing weekly bin collections are being moved to fortnightly and charges are being put in place for green bins to be collected and dumping their household items at the tip.
She said: “Residents walk out of their home and instead of feeling wellbeing [sic], they see an unkept Slough that is embarrassing and so unjust.
“If the council cannot carry out their obligation to residents, how we can expect residents to pay for substandard services and then expect them to pay a heavy increase for the privilege?
“Residents are sadly paying the price for continuingly electing the incompetent and reckless leadership that’s increasing their council tax by 10 per cent this year.”
Cllr Christine Hulme (Lab: Central), lead member for children’s services, said their council tax reduction scheme goes “above and beyond” in protecting the most vulnerable against this increase.
She said: “This lot [the opposition] don’t want to help the poorest in this town by voting against this council tax reduction scheme. It is as clear as day.”
The 9.99 per cent council tax rise was voted through by the ruling Labour Group. The Conservatives and two Independent councillors voted against it.
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