Minister’s last-minute plea over council tax

Local Government Minister Kris Hopkins urged them to vote through a freeze at tonight’s budget meeting, which would entitle the council to a government grant of £1.27 million.

The call by Mr Hopkins follows on from the prime minister’s freeze plea made during a visit to the city last week.

However, the Green administration has warned cuts to services would deepen under a freeze and increase the threat to children’s centres which The Argus is campaigning to save.

Some of the children’s centre services were granted an early reprieve ahead of tonight’s decision but more are still at risk.

A report commissioned for the All-Party Parliamentary Group For Conception To Age Two said children’s centres should be a central source of support for families, while GMB union branch secretary Mark Turner said children’s centres and other frontline services should never have been put at risk, branding it “naive politics”.

Ria Older-Stephens attends the baby group run by the Early Years Project at Moulsecoomb Library, with partner Trevor and her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter Cheyenne.

She said: “It is great some of the centres and services have been saved but there is a duty to save as many as possible.”

Hannah Reader, 35, from Bevendean, who uses children’s centres services with her three-year-old son Beau, the face of The Argus campaign, pictured right, said cuts in facilities could isolate families and the ramifications would be “incomprehensible”.

Councillors will have to choose between a council tax rise of 5.9%, a 1.99% rise and a freeze with almost £1 million more savings having to be found under a freeze budget rather than a 1.99% rise one.

Conservative councillors have said their position calling for a freeze has been consistent throughout the Green administration and strengthened this time round by falling inflation rates.

Local Government Minister Kris Hopkins said: “Under the last government, council tax bills more than doubled.

“This government is working hard to keep council tax down for hard-working people.

“There is extra government money on the table for all councils which freeze their council tax bills next year, and we would urge Brighton and Hove councillors to take it to help their residents with the cost of living.”

The Argus calls on councillors to save our centres
TODAY we learn the fate of the city’s future generations.

Councillors are faced with the task of introducing swathes of cutbacks to children’s centres if they cannot find an alternative, or cover the costs with a hike in council tax.

Ultimately, the elected members will be making a choice between investing in the early development of our children or deciding they can make do without vital facilities which help them grow.

The youngsters vulnerable to the decision are too young to even realise what it all means so campaigners and families have fought on their behalf.

As angry families prepare to march on Hove Town Hall in protest this afternoon, The Argus renews its calls to Brighton and Hove City Council to reconsider its proposals and Save Our Centres.