The Liberal Democrat, who led the council between 2004 and 2012, says the ruling Labour group could have reduced the increase to just 3.9% if they had agreed to a proposed amended budget that the opposition group had put forward.
Speaking to Swansea Bay News, Cllr Holley said: “We put forward our amendment to lower the level of council tax from 5.95% to 3.90% to be paid for by taking money the Equalisation Fund which is money that before 2016 was put into the revenue account to pay for services.
“The current administration decided to make up a fund to help pay for the borrowings in the future because of the very large amount of money needed to pay for the city deal and other projects but not for schools.
“I feel the public need a break from the constant increasing amount of council tax above inflation.”
Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council described the Lib Dem’s proposal as “smoke and mirrors”.
Cllr Stewart said: “We will continue to have one of the lowest council tax rises in Wales – just £1.46 a week for a Band B property. What the Lib Dems suggested was just smoke and not a real cut – and it would cost taxpayers more long term’
“The Chief Finance Officer gave clear advice that council tax rises in future years would need to be higher to compensate for this temporary cut, meaning the Lib Dems would add 2% – 3% to the following years council tax before we even begin – that’s not a deal anyone would want”
(Lead image: Chris Holley)
