Not a lotta from Mr Roca

As reported last week, Cheshire East Council has requested permission from the Government to increase council tax – up to double the usual limit.

Owing to its financial profligacy thereby creating a £100 million black hole, Cheshire East is effectively under ‘special measures’  (exceptional financial support (EFS)) leaving the council free to increase tax without a public referendum.

But, by timing its application at this time of year, January, when there is no full council meeting, the ruling labour party were able to avoid a debate or any opposition from councillors.

According to a Cheshire East report chief executive Rob Polkinghorne made the decision after consulting with party leaders, the mayor and two council officers.

Sutton Conservative councillor Chris O’Leary has said: “Residents are being punished for the financial incompetence and mismanagement at Cheshire East, and this increase will fall hardest on those families least able to afford it.

“This extra money will not resolve the fundamental problems at Cheshire East, if I were a betting man I would put money on the council being overspent next year even after this excessive tax hike.

“I hope that the government stands by its previous commitments, made in November last year, and says no to Cheshire East Council’s appalling plans, and that Macclesfield’s Labour MP does everything he can to prevent the least well off in our constituency being hammered by this council.”

As well as the anticipated huge hike in council tax it’s likely that Macclesfield Town Council, Cheshire Police and Cheshire Fire Brigade will also be seeking substantial increases as they do every year. The compounded increases will have a massive impact on council tax bills in following years.

A briefing report sent to councillors on the matter stated: EFS (exceptional financial support) allows an authority to set, in essence, a deficit budget that will be funded either through capitalisation of receipts or borrowing, so the ability to raise additional council tax minimises the ongoing revenue impact of any borrowing for EFS.

The chief executive was therefore asked to consider making a decision on behalf of council that a formal submission be made to MHCLG which would seek authority for the council tax referendum limit for Cheshire East to be increased by an additional 5 per cent above the standard amount for 2025/26 only.

Macclesfield’s new Labour MP, Tim Roca, blames the previous Conservative Government, despite Cheshire East’s woes being created by the Labour-controlled council’s financial incompetence.

Mr Roca said: “The current financial challenges faced by councils nationwide, including Cheshire East, are the toxic legacy of the previous Conservative government’s financial mismanagement, repeatedly voting to reduce funding to councils.

Nothing to do with Cheshire East’s lavishing our money on inordinately expensive failed vanity projects in Sandbach and Crewe then Mr Roca?

Mr Roca continued: “While I am encouraged by the Labour government’s recent provisional settlement, which increases Cheshire East’s core spending power by 5.8%, I firmly believe that residents should not bear the cost of past financial mismanagement through excessive council tax hikes.

“Although the decision to set council tax rests with locally elected councillors, I will be engaging with the MHCLG to explore additional support for Cheshire East Council, arguing that any measures should be in the best interests of local residents.”

We all know that means – there’s not a lotta coming from Mr Roca.

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: “This request does not commit the council to raising council tax.”

“Any proposal to increase council tax would be subject to a decision of full council in February, as part of the budget-setting process.

“An increase of five per cent would be equivalent to £1.72 per week for a band D property.”

Doesn’t sound much does it? But add the inevitable precept increases for Police, Fire and Town Council and struggling residents will be hit with punitive council tax bills.