Despite the cost of living crisis, Barnet Labour are increasing parking charges across the borough and reneging on their promise to refund 1% charge.  The Conservatives are calling for a Council Tax freeze to support residents.

Conservative Councillors have criticised Labour-run Barnet Council for breaking its pledge to refund the social care precept. 
 
Despite describing this pledge as the “first action” a Labour administration in Barnet would take in their manifesto, this has now been scrapped.
 
Cllr Dan Thomas, Leader of Barnet’s Conservative Group has said ““Labour have reneged on their promise to refund 1% council tax.  Labour also said they would not charge the maximum council tax which is allowed but have used that figure as the starting point for their so-called discount.  This is a sleight of hand and not the full and proper refund our residents are expecting. Labour’s number one pledge to residents has been broken”.
 
At the same time, the Labour administration is ramping up spending on politicking at the Council, spending over £150,000 a year on a 'Director of Transformation' to support their political agenda, and a 'Strategic Political Advisor'. How are they paying for this? By cutting services that improve our borough and increasing parking fees. Labour have proposed increasing parking charges up by over 10%, and want to raise Controlled Parking income by over £1million. On this, Cllr Thomas commented that “Barnet Labour have increased parking charges and want to massively increase Controlled Parking Permit income. We are calling for all planned increases in parking charges to be scrapped.”
 
During this cost of living crisis, the people of Barnet should have an administration committed to protecting their money, not increasing charges. That's why Barnet Conservatives are calling on Labour to freeze Council Tax next year - to support households across our borough. 

Cllr Thomas declared that “the Conservatives are calling for Council Tax to be frozen next year and for Labour to honour their pledge to refund 1% council tax to residents.  Planned increases of parking, CPZ and garden waste charges must also be reversed.”