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PR 70
PR 91
RELEASE IMMEDIATE: 15September 2003
Government council capstatement slammed
Localdemocracy think tank the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) hascriticised the Governments announcement that they are prepared to use counciltax capping powers in 2004/5.
DennisReed, LGIU Chief Executive, said: With council taxes likely to rise to meetdemands from Whitehall, such as new requirements in the Childrens ServicesGreen Paper, this intervention is disingenuous. Any decision to cap anauthority will inevitably lead to a decision to cut services, undoubtedly onethat Government will not wish to dirty its hands with, and may indeed condemn.
Itshould be for local voters to determine at the ballot box their verdict on thedecisions of their town hall. Ministers should encourage this by focusing onthe more important and inter-related issues of reforming the balance betweencentral and local funding of local authorities and the council tax.
ENDS
Forfurther information contact:
KevinMorton Tel. 020 7554 2858; Mobile 07958 314846; E mail kevin.morton@lgiu.org.uk
MaryWimbury Tel. 020 7554 2845; Mobile 07958 521344; E mailmary.wimbury@lgiu.org.uk
Notes toEditors
The LocalGovernment Information Unit (LGIU) is Britains foremost independent localdemocracy think tank, campaigning to extend local authority best practice,freedoms and responsibilities. Recentinitiatives have included the Commission on Local Governance and the LGIU iscurrently working to influence the debate on legislation to modernise localgovernment. The LGIU and its education service TEN (The Education Network) alsoprovides research, policy briefings, information, advice, training and lobbyingservices to 150 local authority and trade union affiliates.