Trafford residents have called the 7.49% increase in council tax ‘appalling’ as they “are struggling to pay all the bills.
Trafford is one of six councils across England that have been given permission by the Government to increase council tax by 2.5% above the referendum level, which will result in a £10 a month hike for a Band D home.
This “sudden” increase comes despite previous Labour promises that there would be no tax rises on working people, leaving many Trafford residents concerned how they’ll continue to afford living costs.
“It’s appalling,” said one resident. “We’re just struggling to pay all the bills.”
Other residents echoed similar sentiments: “I don’t know what option they’ve got to keep services” but for the local working people “it’s really tough.”
The council has been slammed by some, with one resident saying that its actions don’t seem to be ‘reflecting what is going on in the communities’ with many people reportedly struggling with the cost of living crisis.
Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “I can completely understand that the cost of living crisis has hit so many people over the last few years. We have also been hit by the cost of living crisis at the council.
“So we had to take the difficult decision when looking at securing a balanced budget this time of approaching the government to ask for a facility to let us borrow money to help bridge our gap, but also look at an additional increase in council tax.
“We continue to function as a Council, we continue to provide services every single day, whether that be libraries, whether that be through our partners with One Trafford, whether that be, you know, working with collecting the bins, whether that be in the Adult and Children’s Social Care space.
“What this stops us from doing is making significant further cuts.”
Whilst considering the current budget, it was found that the Council was down by a whopping £14,000,000, which it explains is due to the previous Conservative administration that took the decision to freeze council tax.
Tom Ross explained that spending in Adult and Children’s Services, as well as pressures in temporary accommodation, are exceeding the money that the council receives.
“We should look at what we can to protect as many services as possible for the residents out there and part of that was taking this difficult decision,” he added.
There is a range of advice and support available for those who need advice and support:
Trafford Council Tax support: https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/benefits-and-council-tax/benefits/Council-Tax-support/About-Council-Tax-support.aspx
Citizens Advice SORT Group (Trafford): https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/local-citizens-advice/0014K000009EMO8QAO/
Trafford Community Hubs: https://www.traffordhubs.org/