Councillor Mrs Goodchild: Why I support the 3.95% Increase in Council Tax

At their budget setting meeting on Thursday 25th February 2016, the CBC councillor for Houghton Hall Ward, Liberal Democrat, Mrs Susan Goodchild, had these words of support. The new rate for a Band D property for the Central Bedfordshire Council is £1,360.01 (up 3.95%). By Cllr Mrs S. Goodchild Cllr Mrs S Goodchild, courtesy of CBC video services. "I am always concerned when I hear about proposals to increase council tax, but from my personal experience with my constituents in Houghton Regis, which is known to have a higher proportion of residents living in poverty, then I think we must protect front line services and for this reason I will be supporting the increase in Council tax in line with the council’s recommendation. It is however, hugely disappointing that the Government has not listened to council’s and charities, which have been urging them to provide sufficient funding to support local welfare assistance. We cannot pretend that this will not have an imp