This Council endorses the approach adopted by this Conservative administration to maintain a low Council Tax and ensure value for money in all that we do as part of our commitment to securing the financial sustainability of the Council and to support the people and businesses of Trafford.

Council notes:

·             that a Trafford maintains the lowest Council Tax charge in the North West and the 19^th lowest in the country

·             that the Council’s budget will balance for the tenth successive year, a stark contrast to previous Labour overspends

·             that an unqualified value for money statement was received from the district auditor for the last financial year

·             that collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates are the highest in Greater Manchester, supporting public services

·             the work of this Conservative-controlled Council to lobby the Government for the sustainable reform of business rates, so critical to the future of local authority funding, and this is lobbying initiative that has the potential for a favourable outcome

Council is aware that the Labour party have committed to the same level of austerity funding reductions for local government should it win the general election, and is critical of the approach adopted by the Labour opposition in Trafford for not presenting viable alternative to the people of this Borough and the ensuing chaos that would bring this Council.

Therefore, Council agrees that it is only a Conservative-controlled Trafford that has a long term plan to ensure value for money and good services for the people of this Borough delivered at low cost to the taxpayer.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council endorses the approach adopted by this Conservative administration to maintain a low Council Tax and ensure value for money in all that we do as part of our commitment to securing the financial sustainability of the Council and to support the people and businesses of Trafford.

Council notes:

•       that Trafford maintains the lowest Council Tax charge in the North West and the 19th lowest in the country

•       that the Council’s budget will balance for the tenth successive year, a stark contrast to previous Labour overspends

•       that an unqualified value for money statement was received from the district auditor for the last financial year

•       that collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates are the highest in Greater Manchester, supporting public services

•       the work of this Conservative-controlled Council to lobby the Government for the sustainable reform of business rates, so critical to the future of local authority funding, and this is lobbying initiative that has the potential for a favourable outcome

Council is aware that the Labour party have committed to the same level of austerity funding reductions for local government should it win the general election, and is critical of the approach adopted by the Labour opposition in Trafford for not presenting viable alternative to the people of this Borough and the ensuing chaos that would bring this Council.

Therefore, Council agrees that it is only a Conservative-controlled Trafford that has a long term plan to ensure value for money and good services for the people of this Borough delivered at low cost to the taxpayer.”

Following a debate on the matter, the Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

RESOLVED: That this Council endorses the approach adopted by this Conservative administration to maintain a low Council Tax and ensure value for money in all that we do as part of our commitment to securing the financial sustainability of the Council and to support the people and businesses of Trafford.

Council notes:

•       that Trafford maintains the lowest Council Tax charge in the North West and the 19th lowest in the country

•       that the Council’s budget will balance for the tenth successive year, a stark contrast to previous Labour overspends

•       that an unqualified value for money statement was received from the district auditor for the last financial year

•       that collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates are the highest in Greater Manchester, supporting public services

•       the work of this Conservative-controlled Council to lobby the Government for the sustainable reform of business rates, so critical to the future of local authority funding, and this is lobbying initiative that has the potential for a favourable outcome

Council is aware that the Labour party have committed to the same level of austerity funding reductions for local government should it win the general election, and is critical of the approach adopted by the Labour opposition in Trafford for not presenting viable alternative to the people of this Borough and the ensuing chaos that would bring this Council.

Therefore, Council agrees that it is only a Conservative-controlled Trafford that has a long term plan to ensure value for money and good services for the people of this Borough delivered at low cost to the taxpayer.