The greatest frustration of the current administration at County Hall is that their powers to raise council tax by more than the Government cap (currently 2 per cent a year) requires a public referendum. When it did not, you may recall that council tax used to rise at between 5and 10 per cent a year.
Ex Finance Portfolio holder, Cllr Folkes, included the abolition of the referendum in a wish list to Eric Pickles 18 months ago of 50 ways to save the Government money. Warped thinking: save the Government by taxing people in Cornwall more.
Before and since it has been a recurring theme.
But the Council has no mandate for this. It was included in their Case for Cornwall (more powers for the Council) approved in January. Since then they have tried to fudge the issue by saying that they are worried about the timing or the cost of the referendum.
Let us not beat about the bush: what they are worried about is they do not believe they could win one.
As I have been trying to give this issue more exposure (which they have failed to do themselves) they may drop it in the end. But if you have a view for or against, please sign our survey at www.standupforcornwall.co.uk and send them a message.
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