Keeping Torbay tax rise low ‘could cost council millions’

Bay bills will go up by 4.75 per cent

Keeping Torbay’s council tax increase lower than that of neighbouring councils could cost the bay millions of pounds, it has been claimed.

Bills for bay households will increase by 4.75 per cent, compared to a government ‘ceiling’ of 4.99 per cent. The Conservative administration says having the lower figure will help people who need it most during the cost of living crisis.

But opposition councillors say it will make little difference, and will end up costing money instead.

Independent group leader Cllr Darren Cowell (Shiphay) said: “There are authorities that would die to be in our financial position.”

But, he said, for homes in Bands A to C the difference between a 4.75 per cent increase and one of 4.99 per cent would be just six pence a week. The income lost to the council as a result would be significant, he said.

“If we work this out over a four-year term for this administration, that will be something like £2 million lost to the base budget of Torbay Council,” said Cllr Cowell.

Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Swithin Long (Barton with Watcombe) said the budget would leave some people disappointed, and included Conservative ‘pet projects’ which were costing money.

Cllr Long proposed two amendments to the budget, one to provide bus passes for carers, and one to pay for temporary toilets at Parkfield in Paignton. Both were defeated.

Deputy council leader Chris Lewis (Con, Preston) said the budget was ‘excellent’ and would deliver important projects, but Torbay MP Steve Darling, who is also a Liberal Democrat councillor for Barton with Watcombe said opportunities to provide social housing had been missed. 

Cllr Nick Bye said the bulk of the council’s spending would go to support the most vulnerable people in the bay. “It’s a good budget for children and for the vulnerable,” he said.

Council leader David Thomas (Con, Preston) said: “This budget represents our commitment to progress, and prudent use of taxpayers’ money.

“When all around us we see councils taking the maximum allowance, our proposal is for 4.75 per cent, and is perhaps one of the lowest increases in the UK.”

The budget, complete with the much-discussed 4.75 per cent increase, was passed, with all but one of the opposition councillors abstaining from voting.