Third Labour Budget, Third Council Tax Rise

York’s Liberal Democrat councillors have accused Labour of yet another broken promise after confirming that Council Tax will rise again in their latest budget, the third Labour budget in a row to push bills up for residents. 

The increase directly contradicts what Labour told voters at the last local election, when residents were promised by Council Leader Claire Douglas that “York needs a Labour-run council to freeze your council tax.” Instead, households are once again facing the maximum increase allowed. 

Alongside the Council Tax rise, Labour’s budget includes a £3 increase in green bin charges (from £49 to £52). 

The Liberal Democrats say Labour are pushing forward with cuts to frontline services, including the widely opposed £600,000 cut to library services and a new £100,000 cut to leisure facilities. 

Cllr Paul Healey, Liberal Democrat Finance Spokesperson said: 

“Labour can try to dress this up however they like, but residents remember what they were told. At the last election, Labour said a Labour-run council would freeze Council Tax. Instead, people are getting higher bills year after year. That is a clear breach of their manifesto.” 

“York residents were promised one thing and given another. This budget shows that Labour will say whatever it takes to win votes, then do the opposite once the ballots are counted. 

“Libraries are a frontline service used every day by children, older residents, jobseekers, students and community groups. Pretending otherwise does not make the cut disappear. 

“This is a direct attack on York’s frontline services. Our libraries and leisure facilities services are being cut. Residents are not fools; they can see that under Labour they are paying more and getting fewer public services.” 

The Liberal Democrats will now examine the full budget proposals at City of York Council and will bring forward an alternative budget ahead of the Budget Council meeting.