The Leader of the Labour Group said that they reluctantly supported the increase in Council Tax, as otherwise it would mean a cut in services. He was still concerned that poorer residents were being financially disadvantaged by the changes to benefits and quoted the case of a single mother of two who had had no choice other than to occupy a three bedroom property, because no two bedroom properties were available, and would be worse off because of that.
He was pleased that the Council had decided not to introduce charging for car parking and thanked all the people that had signed a petition against that proposal.
He suggested three amendments:
1. to address the lack of suitable affordable housing he proposed that the New Homes money should be ring-fenced for building new homes;
2. with regard to the Special Responsibility Allowances, he said that Members should ‘lead from the front’ and proposed a 20% cut, which would save the Council £28,000; and
3. he proposed that the £28,000 saved by that cut, should be used to support High Streets in the District.
Mrs Canham seconded his proposals.
The Leader of the Council supported some elements of the Labour Group Leader’s speech. He agreed that it had been clear that residents did not want car park charging and the Council had taken notice of their wishes.
He pointed out that the New Homes Bonus was a revenue stream and he would much prefer to use capital money to build new homes. The Council was already in discussion with Parishes about building new homes and was also putting pieces of its own land forward for that purpose. He agreed that the ‘bedroom tax’ was affecting people who wanted to downsize but could not do so because of the lack of properties and said that the Council was working to ensure that the right kinds of homes became available.
With regard to the Special Responsibility Allowance he noted that the Independent Remuneration Panel had interviewed various Members and carried out research before making its recommendations.
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