Lib Dems propose cost of living rebate for thousands of council tax payers

The Liberal Democrats are proposing a £15 cost of living rebate to tens of thousands of council tax payers in bands A to D to soften the blow of the council tax increase. They will formally propose this at Monday's Budget Council meeting.

Finance Spokesperson Cllr Ian Marks says: As a result of Government policies, the impact of COVID, the aftermath of Brexit and world events, we are all facing inflation rates that have not been seen for 30 years. These increases will disproportionately affect the less well off in our town. There are 77,648 homes in Bands A to D so a one-off £15 rebate would cost £1.16m. We are proposing this extra £1m is taken from reserves. Excluding the social care precept increase of 1%, our proposal for a Warrington cost-of-living rebate halves the impact of this year's Council Tax increase on households living in Band A to D properties.

This can be administered with the Government Rebate, so it involves almost no additional cost. It may be a small sum, but it would demonstrate that the Council is aware of and sympathetic to the pressure on low-income households of what is a highly regressive tax.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Bob Barr adds: Our proposed rebate would release £1m to be spent in the local economy, not just helping the individuals in these households, but also businesses across Warrington where the money will be spent.

We objected to last year's budget because it was opaque, subject to insufficient consultation, and based on poorly defined objectives under the label of Outcome Based Budgeting. This year's budget is no better but it has been prepared by officers who have made it clear that for whoever is running Warrington, there are very few options available for cuts or new spending if the existing services, particularly those for the most vulnerable adults and children, are to be maintained.

The Liberal Democrats do not agree with the Conservative policy of freezing Council Tax which would remove a further £4m from Warrington's already greatly underfunded budget.