Conservative Councils Cost you more!

People living in councils controlled by the Conservatives face the biggest rise in council tax, according to the latest figures.

This year's figures for council taxes set for 2006 show that of the 23 Tory controlled county councils, 20 put their charge up by MORE than the

average. But of the 30 Lib Dem controlled councils across the country, 20 set below average increases.

"The average council tax rise across the country was 4.4%," said ANN HAIGH and CAROL TAYLOR. "Yet it was the Conservative County Councils who put up council tax the most."

Conservative claims to be careful with your money do not match the reality. It is only two years ago that local Conservatives put up your Essex council tax by 16%! This year they have made a scandalous increase in the Meals on Wheels charge from £2.30 to £3.50

The figures also demonstrate that it is the Liberal Democrats who are leading the battle to keep down council tax. The lesson is clear: if the Conservatives get into power, taxes will go up just as they did under the last Conservative Government. Like New Labour they will claim that they will not increase income tax and will do so by forcing councils to raise taxes

needed to implement services required by law.

After ten years of very low annual grants, EFDC had a surprisingly generous grant this year and the district council tax was increased by £3.24 for a Band D property.