At February’s meeting of the Derbyshire County Council, in Matlock, the controlling Labour Group proposed a Council Tax increase for 2009/10 of 2.9%.  However, having regard to the best interest of households across Derbyshire, the Conservative Group put down an amendment for the increase to be limited to 1.9% which could be funded prudently out of the general reserve so that frontline services would not be adversely affected.  

“This 1% reduction in Council Tax would put an additional £2.7 million into the pockets of Derbyshire’s householders, many of whom are increasingly suffering from lay-offs, reduced overtime earnings and even the total loss of their jobs, with no certainty as to when the current climate of economic recession will lift. Furthermore, those living on the interest from their savings have seen a nosedive in their level of income”, said Councillor John Harrison, the Shadow Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy and Budget, adding, “Everyone is facing an 8% hike in the price of food and many a 40% hike in utility charges”.

The Labour majority have voted through the 2.9% increase which means that the Council Tax Band D in 2004/05 was £896.987 but this latest 2.9% increase takes it to £1,060.87, which is £164 per annum more than the rise in the Consumer Price Index over the same period.