Lib Dems Welcome Low Council Tax Rise and Better Services

6.53.00pm GMT Thu 27th Mar 2008

Councillor Alistair Dow has welcomed a below inflation council tax increase of 1.9%

Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed a below inflation council tax increase for the third year running. The rise of only 1.9% is one of the lowest in the country and equivalent to less than 37p per week for a Band B household. This compares to an average annual increase of 5.6% when Labour ran the Council.

Councillor Alistair Dow said: "This is one of the lowest council tax rises in the country. The Council has also plowed £160 million more into front line services since 2004."

Even better Council services have also been officially recognised. The independent Audit Commission has awarded the Council three stars for offering good services at a cost effective price. When Labour ran the Council it was officially branded as "weak" and key services were close to being taken over by Whitehall.

Alistair Dow commented: "We must continue to improve local services until they are excellent. Only the best is good enough for Birmingham and Selly Oak".