At last night’s Full Council meeting at South Cambridgeshire District Council, the Lib Dems voted once again to increase council tax, this year to £5.24 - the maximum increase permitted.
At the same meeting, the Lib Dems rejected a Conservative Group budget amendment that would have frozen council tax and protected residents from further financial pressure. The proposed freeze would have been funded through sensible savings, including ending the unfair four-day working week and restructuring the Council’s leadership team.
This decision comes at a time when household bills continue to rise sharply and resident satisfaction with council services is falling. Despite this, the Lib Dem administration has chosen to raise taxes rather than prioritise value for money or explore reasonable efficiencies.
The vote sends a clear message about priorities. Instead of standing with residents who are struggling with the cost of living, the Lib Dems have opted to increase the tax burden on local households - while asking taxpayers to continue funding a fully paid extra day off each week for council staff.
South Cambridgeshire residents deserve a council that puts them first: one that focuses on delivering high-quality services, managing public money responsibly, and easing financial pressure on families. Yesterday’s decision shows that, under the Lib Dem administration, that is not happening.
Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Heather Williams said: “It is saddening but not surprising that even when residents have made it clear they are struggling, the Lib Dem’s are whacking up our bills. And Council tax isn’t just going up - they are taking every single penny they can get their hands on.
We are clear that residents need to be put first while the cost of living is as high as it is and we will continue to fight for our residents.”
