County backs council tax rise

A budget of £400 million and tax rises of 4.9 per cent have been approved by a meeting of Staffordshire County Council.

An average Band D council tax payer faces a rise of £44.69 for county services from £902.85 to £947.54.

The county will be relying heavily on reserves kept aside for a 'rainy day' to boost the budget.

Despite keeping increases below five per cent - the council has come in for criticism - with opposition councillors claiming the council will be unable to fund new pay structures for staff.In an impassioned speech in the council chamber yesterday Councillor Philip Atkins, leader of the Conservative group, said the authority was in financial meltdown and has only set aside £17m for wages, around half of what it is likely to need.

He said: "This is like seeing a train crash in slow motion - it is painful to watch. The budget will be bust by the end of March.

"There just isn't enough money in this budget and there will need to be substantial redundancies. This is the end of all of your dreams for the last 10 years.

"Council tax has doubled in ten years and there has been a 31.8 per cent increase in staff since 2000.

"Ask the electorate if they have seen any increase in the standard of service they receive and they'll give you as resounding 'no'."

Terry Dix, presenting the budget to council, admitted there have been difficulties this year.

He said: "I think it is fair to say that the challenges this year have been even more difficult than ever.

"The tougher financial outlook coupled with our aspirations to continue to improve services to vulnerable people has meant we have had to make some very difficult decisions."

The levels of rises for other council tax bands will be; A, £601.90 to £631.69; B, £702.22 to £736.98; C, £802.53 to £842.26; E, £1,103.48 to £1,158.10; F, £1,304.12 to £1,368.67; G, £1,504.75 to £1,579.23 and H, £1,805.70 to £1.895.08.

Final figures for tax rises will be announced when precepts have been received from the borough and district councils fire and police authorities and parish councils.

By Sally Walmsley