Oakham: Labour Councillor Leah Toseland speaks about about her vote against the rise in Rutland Council Tax
By Evie Payne 2nd Mar 2022
At a full Council meeting on the 28th of February, Rutland Council increased Council Tax by 1.99%, with an additional 3% precept to adult social care, in the 2022/23 Budget.
Three councillors voted against the increase, with Labour's Leah Toseland being one.
Rutland taxpayers therefore continue to be among one of the highest Council Taxpayers in the country.
Council taxpayers are, Labour Councillor, Leah Toseland said: "bearing the burden of years of Government underfunding for Local Government, and the ineffectiveness of our councillors in lobbying for better funding.
"We can all agree on the bitter unfairness of Government funding and the public consultation also showed that residents understood this. However, telling residents that "It's not our fault we have no money, and it is not fair" lacks accountability.
"This raise in council tax will not be affordable for the hard-working taxpayers who aren't eligible for financial support. It will not be affordable for our vulnerable. It will be difficult for many.
"Everyone is asking for more at a time of unprecedented increases in energy bills, and the highest rate of general inflation for decades.
"The situation we find ourselves in is a result of cuts and continued underfunding. Austerity has been a political choice.
"I could not vote for something which tells people to pay more for less, at times when there is no more to give, and they suffer the most.
"I have been elected to serve the people and to vote for what they want – and they do not want this. What they want to see us all of us working together to ensure that Rutland gets a fair deal, and this is not it."
Cllr. Leah Toseland can be contacted via her email: [email protected]
Find out more about Councillor Alan Walters, who also voted against this increase in Council Tax.
To find out more about the Budget, view our article from February which detailed the proposals for 2022/23.
To share your own thoughts on this, email [email protected] or click the 'Nub It' button at the top of our website.
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