CIVIC leaders have been accused of being "pretty disingenuous" over suggesting a council tax "freeze" is proposed in BCP Council's budget.

Opposition councillors have raised initial concerns to the Conservative administration's finance plan for 2022/23.

As reported, BCP Council residents would see no increase in the 'base' or 'core' part of their council tax, if proposals are passed.

However, the Tory group in control of the local authority plans a four per cent adult social care precept increase, having delayed any rise in the precept for 2021/22.

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'It's disingenuous'

Cllr Vikki Slade, Liberal Democrat and former council leader, told the Daily Echo: "It is pretty disingenuous to call this a council tax freeze when the reality is that the administration will be applying a four per cent increase through the adult social care precept so people will not be seeing a freeze in their outgoings.

"Honesty and transparency is really important, particularly in the current political climate and so it is disappointing that the information is being spun this way."

Cllr Slade said Liberal Democrats were "very concerned" about plans for an increase in borrowing.

She said alongside the council's Futures Fund, which she described as "akin to running a huge credit card", there was a "buy now, pay later" approach.

"Spending now and expecting our children and grandchildren to cover the costs is reckless and is not what our residents should expect in the year before elections," said Cllr Slade.

"We will be studying the details line by line and providing further comment in due course through our finance lead Cllr Mike Cox."

'Misleading'

Christchurch Independents councillor Paul Hilliard said the headline claim of a "freeze in council tax" was "misleading" as many will "ignore the core aspect".

He said: "I would personally make the point that I was in favour of the four per cent adult social care being applied last April as the need for a greater focus on care was needed immediately.

"Pressures on child and adult services have grown this year, and the money should have been provided earlier as Dorset Council did."

Cllr Hilliard said the cabinet report on the budget states the recommendations are based on a "number of major assumptions".

"These appear risky as they are out of the council's control and again rely on tax payers assuming increased long term debt and projected capital receipts to finance core council services," he said.

"Delivery of the council’s assets ‘value for money’ was a main reason for LGR. Residents will be watching closely the proposals coming from the FuturePlaces arms-length company so we hope proper engagement and consultation is forthcoming soon on plans.

"The announcements on the ‘Green Futures Fund’ and other spending is welcome, however residents will be keen to see the detail of how these are funded and delivered to enhance their lives."

'Sailing close to the wind'

Poole People leader, Cllr Mark Howell, said "it is clear the administration is sailing close to the wind in terms of balancing the budget and loading cost on to future council tax bills."

He said that although council tax payers will ultimately benefit if transformation is delivered, "that is a big if".

"Transformation is behind schedule, increasing in cost and there is no evidence that it will deliver the hoped for savings in full. We have been told that the bulk of the savings will only occur at the back end of the process so scrutiny is very difficult."

He added: "In the introduction to his budget report, the chief financial officer describes the budget as “bold” and “creative”, two words which should be ringing alarm bells in the ears of BCP residents."

'Smoke and mirrors'

Labour councillor George Farquhar described the plans as “smoke and mirrors” and felt the Conservatives should engage more with other parties to ensure budgets cater for “ward to ward” needs.

He told the Echo: “My concern is that it’s a big splash headline. When we have opportunity to drill into the figures, I think we’ll find statistics that don’t hold out.

“I don’t believe we’ll have one of the lowest [council tax] increases in the country, I think it’s all smoke and mirrors. We know the money is taken in a variety of other ways.

“I wish the current administration would work more with opposing parties to actually establish what the needs of our residents are, ward to ward.”

Cllr Farquhar also felt more provision for the third sector to help tackle homelessness was necessary.

The four per cent precept would equate to an increase of 17p a day – an additional £62 for the year – for those living in a Band D property.

Budget details will be considered by the overview and scrutiny board on January 31, before going to cabinet on February 9 and full council on February 22.