Thurrock Council approves almost 10% council tax rise
A full council meeting agreed on the decision
Last updated 2nd Mar 2023
Thurrock Council has agreed to increase council tax by almost 10% at a full council meeting this evening.
While Labour and the independents voted against the move, the conservative-majority voted in favour of the rise.
The meeting was packed with members of the public who turned out to voice their discontent with the decision.
Shouts of "step down" and "shame" were heard from the public gallery, with one of member of the public being removed for causing disruption.
What has the council said?
Both sides of the council debated the rise, with the conservatives arguing that the "modest" rise would still leave Thurrock with the lowest level of council tax in Essex.
They also argued that the rise was necessary in order to save the council and without it, Thurrock would be absorbed into Essex or become a Greater London Borough.
What has the opposition said?
But the opposition, comprised of labour councillors and independents, said raising council tax by almost 10% would only raise around ÂŁ8m.
They also accused the conservatives of unfairly punishing the public and overseeing the largest ever financial crash of any council in Britain.
Why is this happening and what does this mean?
The decision was made due to Thurrock Council finding itself in ÂŁ1.5bn of debt after a series of high-risk loans into the likes of solar power.
While most council tax rises are capped at 5%, Thurrock Council had been given special permission by central government to make an increase of 9.99%.
The decision was also granted without the need for a local referendum.
As a consequence, average Band D homeowner will end up paying around an extra ÂŁ144 per year in council tax.