Nov 10 2007
Uncertainty flies over council tax freeze
Scotland, Nov 10: The speculation about the possible tax freeze to be implemented in Edinburgh is expected to be postponed. The council leader Jenny Dawe stressed the need for postponing the decision as the city is not in a position to accept a council tax freeze.
This remark by the council leader was on the backdrop of the claims regarding the scheme chalked out by the government of Scotland and the umbrella group for the welfare of the local authorities.
The Finance Secretary, John Swinney yesterday met the officials of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities abbreviated as Cosla in an attempt arrive at consensus about the possible freeze that was assured by the SNP during the May election.
The official version of the discussion is attributed as ‘constructive’ but the reports hint that the deal is blocked as the Cosla is ready to recommend a freeze to the 32 councils as an attempt to gather finance worth £400m.
The Edinburgh Councillor Dawe said that the council could not withstand a freeze unless adequate measures to overcome the financial requirements, which is calculated at £23m. She also said that she didn’t get any official information from Cosla about any deal concerning the tax freeze. She expressed her eagerness to see the details of the deal and the compensation package offered for its fulfilment.
While further commenting the issue Councillor said that “Edinburgh is not certainly prepared to put forth a council tax freeze if it leads to service cuts or job cuts.”
The discussion with Cosla was held ahead of the budget statement of Mr Swinney’s in the Scottish parliament next Wednesday. Meanwhile the Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stressed in the parliament that the SNP government will fulfil its election promise of implementing a tax freeze in the council.
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