Tory chairman says Surrey has made "wrong decision" by raising council tax (From Surrey Comet)

Tory chairman says Surrey has made "wrong decision" by raising council tax

5:20pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Elmbridge Exclusive By David Lindsell

The chairman of the Conservative Party has said Surrey County Council has made the wrong decision by raising council tax.

Baroness Warsi sent a letter to all Conservative councils last week asking them to freeze their council tax but fellow Tory councillors at Surrey County Council ignored her advice.

Surrey residents’ bills are set to rise by about £38 for a typical household when the authority puts its council tax up.

Baroness Warsi told the Elmbridge Guardian this afternoon: "I think that at a time when people are feeling the pinch in their pockets and people are finding it difficult to make ends meet anything the government can do to help with the cost of living is a positive thing.

“Council tax bills which have gone up astronomical rates over the last decade have been one of those bills which year on year has increased to levels which were beyond people’s expectations.”

"They [Surrey] certainly won’t be getting a cold shoulder from me for making a decision based upon their local views.

"I think that decision is the wrong decision from a coalition government’s perspective but if they feel that decision is right for them on a local perspective and provided they can justify that to their electorate...then ultimately we’ve got to trust in that local decision making.”

But she refused to criticise Surrey saying: “If that means sometimes you don’t get exactly what you want, so be it.”

In her letter, sent to all Conservative controlled councils last week, she said: "I am writing to you as we enter another important period for the Party.

"After the amazing effort last year that saw us gain council seats and a number of councils against the odds, crucial elections are coming round once again.

"We need to continue to show that the Conservative Party has the right ideas for these difficult times and is on the side of hard-working people."

Councils were offered a one-off grant worth 2.5 percent of their council tax if they froze tax.

But Surrey County Council declined saying that would mean a £70m shortfall over five years.

Councillors voted through the increase at County Hall on Tuesday evening.