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Council tax to rise by 4.5 per cent

6:40pm Monday 16th February 2009


Oxford city council has tonight pushed through an inflation-busting 4.5 per cent increase in council tax — without any substantive debate.

The ruling minority Labour administration tabled a budget based on a 4.5 per cent increase in the city’s share of the final bill in April.

Forty-four councillors were present at tonight’s crunch budget-setting meeting at the Town Hall — 22 Labour and 22 opposition councillors.

Two Independent Working Class Association councillors failed to show up and one Liberal Democrat councillor was sick, which in the event of a tied vote meant the casting vote went to Lord Mayor and Labour councillor Susanna Pressel.

The meeting started at 5pm, but the swift action meant the Liberal Democrat opposition did not have a chance to table and debate its rival budget, which was based on a council tax increase of two per cent.

The Labour budget contains no money for repairs to the crumbling Covered Market, which had previously been promised £50,000 — and leaves a huge question-mark hanging over the future of the Museum of Oxford.

One opposition councillor said: “What are they hiding? They have made promises and failed to keep them before — like over the closure of Peers pool — so it is no wonder there was no discussion.”


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dillbert, Witney says...
6:50pm Mon 16 Feb 09

I've got no sympathy, Oxford City residents keep voting in this mish mash of incompetents, what do you expect. Look at the other councils in the area, not run by Labour and all ten times more efficient.

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brianbbleys, bbleys says...
6:53pm Mon 16 Feb 09

thankyou very much IWCA for looking after our interests, don't come knocking on my door at the next elections I'd rather waste it than vote for you again. once more the residents of Oxford have been shafted again don't the councillors realise that there is a reccession in the UK with all the job losses going on where are people going to get money to pay for this INFALATION BUSTING rise, come on Andrew Smith MP surely this is wrong???

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CowleyBoy, Cowley says...
7:02pm Mon 16 Feb 09

the swift action meant the Liberal Democrat opposition did not have a chance to table and debate its rival budget
....................
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And this is democracy? Why do we allow these arrogant, self-serving idiots to treat us like this? Dillbert is right, we deserve it for allowing it.

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Zimmer, Oxon says...
8:00pm Mon 16 Feb 09

No sympathy here either. You voted for them (or in many case failed to register a vote at all judging by the turnout according to the results) now you are stuck with them. Which in your case is a Triple whammy as you've got the Government you deserve also together with an MP you deserve. Sorry but not sorry.They will now try and blame anybody but themselves for the mess Oxford finds itself in!

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turvy, littlemore says...
8:57pm Mon 16 Feb 09

Is this rise to pay for the short fall of grit we had this year!!!!

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Concerned one, Oxford says...
10:14pm Mon 16 Feb 09

Where do they think we are going to find the extra money to pay this? Residents all over are losing their jobs and caring sharing Labour are screwing them.

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DanOxford, Oxford says...
11:51pm Mon 16 Feb 09

Oxford's 'democracy' is undermined by the large numbers of transient residents who can vote but are not around to suffer the consequences of the Council's decisions long term.

A third of Oxford's residents are full time students, who are far more likely to vote NuLabour or Green than more experienced and sensible- I mean- older- people would do.

I agree with Brian from BBL that the IWCA will not be welcome at my door with their shoddy record on not turning up to important meetings to represent the people who voted for them. All very well angrily posturing about how Nulabour have ignored the working class (thus allowing the BNP to fill the void in many areas) but the IWCA have failed to represent ANYONE by not turning up.

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Simon33, Oxford says...
7:52am Tue 17 Feb 09

I agree with the comments that we get the outcomes we deserve.

Wonder if the Conservatives could really get councillors in Oxford. Can't be worse that the IWCA playing truant at this vital meeting

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Sid Hunt, says...
7:56am Tue 17 Feb 09

I can only echo the sentiments above - what does this say about the integrity of those that push through their own agenda over that of the people they are supposed to represent? These people who continually ignore residents opinions and wishes are beyond the pale. We have already witnessed the attitude that Lord Mayor and Labour councillor Susanna Pressel has toward Oxford people by her part in the debacle over the statue in Broad Street, if that is to be the standard of behaviour councillors aspire to then Lord help us.
How much of this increase is being used to cater for expenses and the council pension scheme?
Are there any councillors worth voting for?

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Ole' Un, Oxon says...
8:33am Tue 17 Feb 09

ICWA are a total waste of a vote.
Founding statement of Party is:
'The IWCA has been established to promote and celebrate the political independence of the working class and to pursue the political & economic interests of that class with no consideration for, and regardless of the consequences to the existing political & enconomic structure'.
This in itself is a lot of hot air as shown by the lack of commitment by thier two councilors who failed to show up at such an important meeting that will have such economic effects on the Citizens of Oxford! SAY NO MORE.

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lubiloo, oxford says...
9:52am Tue 17 Feb 09

I work for Local Gov I can see the money going down the drain, I am a Carer, above me is a Senior Carer, above that a Team Manager above that an Asst Manager, then along comes Line manager, with me so far, then at least six more pen pushers until we get to the top, maybe a few more, I have lost count now, they are all faceless, I have never met them of course, the lunatics are indeed running the Asylum!
So imagine the actual cost of that one person I am giving care to.

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bifocal bill, oxford says...
12:12pm Tue 17 Feb 09

brianbbleys wrote:
thankyou very much IWCA for looking after our interests, don't come knocking on my door at the next elections I'd rather waste it than vote for you again. once more the residents of Oxford have been shafted again don't the councillors realise that there is a reccession in the UK with all the job losses going on where are people going to get money to pay for this INFALATION BUSTING rise, come on Andrew Smith MP surely this is wrong???
totally agree with you brian they need,nt bother knocking on my door along with the labour party either

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