22/02/2023
So tonight the LibDem Council passed its budget. A budget with not a single proposal in it to increase the attractiveness of the area for business or visitors, but full of tax increases, and self-congratulatory waffle, much of it inaccurate.
Here's our take on the Big Tax Take budget from Bath's LibDems:
BATH CONSERVATIVES REJECT LIBDEMS “HIGH TAX, HIGH SPEND” LIBDEM BUDGET
BANES plan will increase tax by £5m, charges by 3m, hitting those least able to pay the hardest
Bath’s local Conservatives have come out strongly against the BANES LibDem budget for 2023/4, calling is a “high tax, high spend” mistake that ignores the needs of the business community and hits hardest those residents least able to pay.
The Council is increasing Council tax by 4.99%, the maximum permitted under Government rules without holding a referendum to approve the plan. This will increase the amount paid in by households by £5m next year across BANES, to take the total to £107million. When the LibDem Administration took over Council tax receipts were £92million, meaning the tax is up 16%, or £15million.
Meanwhile, the Council is bringing in new resident car parking charges and additional road charges, which will raise £3m more.
The budget predicts income from business rates and commercial property income of £29million, compared to £42.7million in 2019-20, a fall of a third.
Bath’s only current Conservative councillor, Cllr Dr Kumar (Bathwick), said the LibDem priorities are all wrong.
“This Council is obsessed by its anti-car dogma, spending millions on its pet projects, but is doing nothing to increase income by encouraging more business and more visitors. It is expecting a further fall in income from business rates and tourism next year. All it has left is to tax the public more.
“These taxes will hit the least-well off the hardest, at a time when the aftermath of COVID and Russian’s war in Ukraine is hitting pockets hard. They are taking a completely wrong approach.”
Conservatives say the Council’s focus should be on encouraging more business to come back to the City to fill up empty commercial properties. More businesses would increase the amount the Council’s earns from rental of the properties it owns and boost its income from business rates.
Cllr Kumar added: “The LibDems have said they want to reduce those coming to Bath by car by 25%, a recipe for economic disaster for our shops and businesses, and a direct disincentive to those living outside the city to visit us.
“Now BANES is raising money by charging residents with older cars the most to park in their home streets. Those who can afford new cars pay next to nothing, while the less-well off pay more.
“Even as they tax more, the LibDems plan to cut all remaining Council efforts to reduce the gull menace, and have even palmed off funding the Remembrance Day parade to the ceremonial Mayor of Bath’s budget.
“Their spending priorities are wrong. Their savings priorities are wrong. Hopefully in May they will be swept away and a fairer, more pro-growth budget can be put in place.”
