Tory councillors in one of Britain’s richest counties ditch plans to raise council tax by 15 per cent
Surrey County council say they had been given pledges over funding for the elderly and disabled
TORY councillors in one of Britain’s richest counties ditched plans to hike council tax by as much as 15 per cent to pay for soaring social care costs after assurances from ministers.
Surrey County Council dropped its threat to raise bills by as much as £124 a year saying they had been given pledges over funding for the elderly and disabled.
Leader David Hodge said he would now seek a 4.99 per cent rise instead.
A 15 per cent rise would have required the support of Surrey residents in a referendum which will not go ahead.
The rise was backed by Surrey’s cabinet and risked becoming an embarrassment to the Government because both Chancellor Philip Hammond and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt have constituencies in the county.
It follows hints from Communities Secretary Sajid Javid that the Government was close to announcing further measures to tackle the growing funding crisis.
Mr Hodge revealed yesterday he’d had a “number of conversations” with Government officials ahead of the decision.
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He said: “The government has listened and we believe the government now understands.
“The government has agreed the methodology for funding councils is flawed.
“I am reassured that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have got this now and I believe we will see a shift on this issue in the days and weeks to come.”
He added: “However, if there isn’t any progress in finding a solution to the adult social care crisis, our situation will become untenable and intolerable.”
Councils face a funding gap of £2.6billion by 2020 for care for the disabled and elderly.
The announcement on the withdrawal of the referendum proposal came after a three hour delay to yesterday’s meeting.