The governing coalition at North Somerset Council has confirmed that The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has granted permission for them to raise Council Tax by 9% without holding a referendum to approve the increase.
Local Conservatives have criticised this move with Cllr Michael Pryke, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Opposition Group observing that "This will mean we pay more for less services, the council has not been well run for the last few years with a number of ridiculous schemes and ideas being put forward."
Wells and Mendip Hills Conservatives are similarly dismayed by the likely increase. Deputy Chairman Richard Greenwell commented that "While it is true that all councils are facing pressures and MHCLG's local settlement has not done North Somerset any favours, it is wrong that the council's first instinct is to sting its residents for the shortfall in its budget. Rather than seeking to raid residents' pockets, the council should be looking in the mirror and asking itself hard questions about muddles like its bus lane projects and Clevedon sea front."