West Country News
Council tax approved
7:20pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
Conservative councillors who smoke discovered the hard way the damage cigarettes do.
Some Tories rushed out for a fag after helping approve Taunton Deane Council’s budget for next year – only to miss another crucial vote as they puffed away on the steps of Deane House.
Their absence meant £164,000 intended for repairs to the multi-storey car park and Deane House has been left in limbo.
But they were summoned back inside to stop the opposition LibDems redirecting the cash into schemes such as swimming initiatives, grants and grass cutting.
Council leader Cllr John Williams (Con) said: “There was confusion once the budget had gone through and some of the newer Conservative members thought that was the end of the decision making and went outside. It was a genuine error.
“The £164,000 is still there ‘in suspense’ and we’ll need to go to full council to get it allocated.”
Earlier in Tuesday’s meeting, Mr Williams’s proposals for a 0% council tax increase, meaning the authority will get a one-off £139,000 Government grant, were approved.
He had originally planned to increase council tax by 3.45%, but backed down after opposition from the LibDems and some Conservatives.
LibDem leader Cllr Ross Henley said: “I’m very disappointed our alternative budget wasn’t approved – as a result we’re going to see large cuts.”
Labour’s Cllr Andrew Govier said: “We felt it would have been sensible for a small increase – 0% will mean the council has a £1million shortfall over five years.”