4.06% council tax increase in Sefton



Sefton householders face a 4.06% increase in council tax, it was decided last night (Thursday).

All three political parties on the local authority agreed the rise which means someone who lives in a Band D property will pay £1,202 per year as from April.

The increase imposed by Sefton Council is 3.95% but rises to 4.06% when the costs of authorities such as the fire and police are added to the bill.

Liberal Democrat council leader Tony Robertson said: "This is another landmark for the council – the second year in succession that all three parties have united to agree a joint budget. It shows that, with sensible goodwill on all sides, Sefton councillors can work together in partnership.

"With my colleagues I am determined above all to make the council more efficient. The independent watchdog, the Audit Commission, has just reported that Sefton 'achieves good value for money' with services that are below average cost."

Cllr Robertson added: "We must be better still. The council owes this to so many residents, especially pensioners and families struggling to make ends meet who find council tax so hard to find.

"Quite rightly, they resent this wretched tax because it is unfairly based only on property and not your ability to pay."



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