"Raising council charges will hurt residents" say Lib Dems

To reduce their £1.75 million ‘black hole’ in East Hampshire's finances, the council's Conservative leadership has decided to increase charges for council services by 10% across the board. This increase is on top of one agreed just a few months ago.

The Liberal Democrats fiercly oppose this blanket measure. Everyone uses council services from time to time, whether it's car parking or use of council facilities. 

During the cost of living crisis, raising fees such as parking charges will hit those who can afford it the least.

Councillor Elaine Woodard, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on East Hampshire District Council, said:

“Raising these charges will be a real knock for East Hampshire residents and businesses.”

“We need to attract shoppers into Alton and Petersfield, but raising parking charges will send people to Guildford, Winchester or Portsmouth instead.”

“The Conservatives have made a real mess of the budget. They need to balance the books, but raising charges by a blanket 10% will hurt some of our worst-off residents.”

At the council meeting Liberal Democrat councillors expressed concerns about the effect on families' budgets and local businesses.

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