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Plan to slash council tax by 3 per cent is 'nonsensical'
COUNCILLORS have branded plans by elected mayor Peter Davies to cut council tax by three per cent as "nonsensical."
Instead members of the council's management watchdog committee believe the levy paid by Doncaster's householders should increase from April.
The committee, who met to review Mr Davies' proposals, reckon a reduction in this year's tax would heap more financial pressure on the authority in coming years.
Members suggested rates should be increased by 2.95 per cent.
Mr Davies wants to cut council tax by three per cent this year and cut it even further over the next three years.
But several councillors on the overview and management scrutiny committee said the focus should be on investment and improving frontline services.
Coun Tony Brown, the committee's vice chair, warned that council services - several of which have been criticised by independent auditors - will suffer even further if rates are reduced.
Taxpayers in Doncaster already fork out less money than any of the other 35 metropolitan boroughs in the country, he said.
Coun Brown said:"Look where we are - we've got the auditors coming in.
"It's time to take a very realistic view this year and take an eye for what's going to happen in the future.
"Let's put some money in the bank rather than getting everyone an ice-cream. Because that's all 47 pence a week less will get them.
"Two or three years ago we had to make a saving of two per cent and we didn't achieve it. It's not about being popular - it's about making the right decision with the knowledge that we have made the right decision."
Coun Joe Blackham, the Labour party leader, described Mr Davies' plans as "nonsensical", while Alliance of Independent Members councillor David Hughes questioned whether the mayor had "plucked a figure out of thin air" when deciding on the levy.
The comments from the councillors came after Colin Jeynes, a former chief executive of Doncaster Council, also spoke out against the mayor's proposals.
Speaking as a member of the public, Mr Jeynes urged councillors not to support the plans.
He said: "There are 40.2 million of planned reductions, yet only 5.551 million of savings have been identified.
"It leaves 34.7million of cuts to be found.
"The rate proposal is fiscal madness. It’s just too risky for the council to go forward like a blind man groping his way to the future.
“The mayor’s proposals look good this year but he really has no idea what it will look like over the next two years.”
The committee, will present its suggestions to the mayor and his cabinet next Wednesday.
Coun Mounsey said: “The role of scrutiny in the budget setting process is to make recommendations.
“The consensus that has emerged from scrutiny’s review is to agree efficiencies, seek an increase in council tax and invest in a number of core services.”
The figures do not include precepts which will be added by bodies including the police and fire authority.
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Weather for Doncaster
Friday 25 May 2012
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