Lib Dems Brand Tory Administration 'Incompetent'

8.09.00am GMT Fri 4th Mar 2005

Mid Beds Liberal Democrats have called on EGM of the District Council following the decision to increase council tax by 13.3% this year. Despite the threat of capping by Government, the Tory run administration have opted for this huge increase. Leader of the Lib Dems on the council Neil Cliff said "The percentage increase of council tax is a direct reflection of an authority's efficiency and ability to control and manage its budgets. This increase is a result of several years living on the investment income generated from capital received from the sale of council houses. Now that strategy has run its course and it's tax payers who will pay the penalty. Services have been cut or run down, but the increases are ever bigger".

The Lib Dem group felt compelled to call for a vote of no confidence in the administration after the increase of both council tax, and the cost of the Chicksands development, which has increased by £2.7 million.