22 February 2024
Balancing the budget is a tough job. After 12 years of Government cuts to Local Authority Services there is very little meat left on the bone. The Council leader delighted in the announcement of year on year savings; a celebration of cutting basic services that are run on a shoestring, whilst still collecting the maximum council tax increase.
"Most peop
le that I talk to across the Mid Buckinghamshire area are willing to stomach the 5% council tax increase but want to be assured that services are delivered well and are value for money… not just the minimum you can get away with." said Green Party Councillor Gregory Smith. "When we fix roads we want them to stay fixed, we want our bin collection to be regular and efficient and we want children and adults in our care to be well looked after."
Gregory continued, "I may have been less oppositional had the Conservative Leadership not voted against a proposal to charge additional Council Tax on second homes. Lots of councils are doing this as a way to encourage owners to put more houses back onto the market, reducing the need to build new homes on green field sites. In the meantime it could raise money to offset some of the cuts to services for people suffering the impact of the cost of living crisis. But no, the Council seems more interested in backing up second home owners than supporting those who are struggling."
