"Nigel Farage's Reform UK has been accused of betraying election promises to cut council tax after several councils it controls said they planned to increase rates close to the maximum allowed. They include Kent county council the party's flagship local authority and one viewed by it as the shop window for what a Reform-led government would look like which has proposed an increase of 3.99%."
"Four other county councils controlled by the party Derbyshire, North Northamptonshire, West Northamptonshire and Leicestershire have also all proposed 5% council tax rises, the maximum permitted by law. Derbyshire county council earlier this week confirmed the rise after predicting a 38m gap in its budget, with overspends in children's social care and adult social care. Councillors on the Reform-controlled Lincolnshire county council were told on Tuesday that a 4.99% increase was being considered."
Several county councils controlled by Reform UK have proposed near-maximum council tax increases. Kent county council has proposed a 3.99% rise. Derbyshire, North Northamptonshire, West Northamptonshire and Leicestershire have proposed 5% increases, the legal maximum. Derbyshire confirmed the rise citing a £38m budget gap and overspends in children's and adult social care. Lincolnshire is considering 4.99%, with consultation including a 3.99% option that would create a £4.1m deficit. Opposition councillors say voters were promised freezes or cuts. Draft budget documents were published late and a full council vote is scheduled next month. Reform retains a significant majority in Kent despite recent defections and leaked footage revealing internal divisions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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