Council backs 15% council tax rise request

Plans to raise council tax in Bradford by almost 15% have been finalised ahead of being sent for government approval.

The Labour-run authority is seeking the increase as part of efforts to plug a £50m annual hole in its finances.

On Wednesday, the council's decision-making executive voted to formally request permission to increase tax by up to 14.99%. The government said it would "only consider agreeing to requests for rises above 5% in exceptional circumstances".

Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe told the meeting it was "not an easy choice" while her political opponents accused the authority of giving taxpayers "no choice at all".

Rebecca Poulsen, leader of the opposition Conservative group on the council, said: "Taxpayers have been given no choice.

"There will be no consultation with residents. The government will decide the level, and then the council will no doubt implement that."

She said "some reduction in services" was due to cuts by her own former Conservative government, but blamed the council leadership for its wider financial crisis.

Councillor Matt Edwards, Leader of the Greens in Bradford, also raised concerns about many residents' ability to pay.

"It is understandable that council tax [in Bradford] is amongst the lowest in West Yorkshire, but there is good rationale for keeping it that way," he said.

"How can the leader justify making such a massive increase when so many people in the District are struggling?"

Hinchcliffe told the meeting of the council's executive: "We know that people are struggling with finances, to counter that, we are already working on a scheme to make sure those on the lowest incomes are sheltered somewhat from the increase.

"But there are no easy decisions here. Is it better for us all to spend £2 or £3 a week more to make sure that our future residents don't have as much debt?

"The decision is with the government, and we will wait and see what they say."

She added that she did not expect to hear back until "the middle of February".

Bradford Council is one of 19 local authorities currently receiving Exceptional Financial Support from the government, which also allows it to apply for tax increases above the 4.99% threshold without holding a referendum.

Other councils proposing similar increases include Windsor, where plans to raise the levy by 25% were announced in December, Hampshire and Bristol.

A Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government spokesperson said no decision had been taken on Bradford's request, adding: "Councils are ultimately responsible for setting their own council tax, and we will put taxpayers at the forefront of any decision."

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