It didn't rain in Manchester for the TaxPayers' Alliance Action Day last Saturday. We were protesting against those Greater Manchester councils raising Council Tax. Instead of accepting the Government's offer of a grant in exchange for a freeze (something Salford and Trafford are doing), many Greater Manchester authorities are raising Council Tax by 3.5 per cent and above.
Speaking at the protest were TPA Chief Executive, Matthew Sinclair and Cllr Sean Anstee, Executive Member for Finance at Trafford Council. Trafford was the first council in the area to announce a freeze and councillors aspire to do the same next year. For all of his hard work in keeping Council Tax bills down, Sean was our first "Pin-Up" for 2013.
We revealed last Friday the 81 councils who are increasing Council Tax. This list has now grown to 84 with the addition of Croydon, North Kesteven, and Stockton-on-Tees. Please let us know if your council is planning a rise and is not on our list. If your council has previously announced an intention to raise Council Tax, but has reversed its decision, please let us know.