Putting the record straight

4.21.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 30th Apr 2007

In a letter to the Evening News, Cllr. Hereward Cooke, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Norwich City Council, explained why the Lib Dems had abstained on Labour's proposal of an above-inflation 4.7% rise in Council Tax in the city.

"Cllr Morphew (April 24th) asks why the Lib Dems abstained from accepting the 2007/8 budget and council tax increase," writes Cllr Cooke.

"The reason, which was forcibly made in Council at the time, was about the way the Labour administration summarily cut the grant to Visit Norwich Ltd by 50%. Our views were based on the principle that a grant made in good faith for 3 years ought to be honoured and not reduced for political gain. We were not going to throw away a main strand of our policies on job creation without registering a protest.

Indeed it could be argued that the Lib Dems` proactive policy of job-creation through tourism was one of the reasons why we were able to attract the special reward from the Government of £2.8m. It is that same grant which now places the Council`s revenues in a favourable position, and ensured that we left the finances in good shape.

Another reason for the unease with the budget and council tax setting was the last minute loading onto the Council by the Labour Government of at least an extra £100,000 for the costs of concessionary bus fares. It was always our preference to set an inflation rate Council Tax of 3.5%, whereas the Labour administration was always looking for nearly 5%.

The Lib Dems` policy is to keep Council Taxes low, to create sustainable employment and to fulfil Norwich`s potential as the place in which it is best to live and work," wrote Cllr Cooke.