Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Is there a spat between the Conservatives at WCC and WWDC?
The (Conservative) Leader of WWDC, together with most of his Cabinet colleagues, has given notice of the following motion. "This authority, being mindful of the financial difficulties experienced by many west Wiltshire households, calls upon the Implementation Executive of Wiltshire Council tom effect no increase in the level of Council Tax for 2009/10."

Council tax levels for the next financial year are currently being set by the Implementation Executive (IE) at the County Council. The IE is overwhelmingly Conservative and is looking at something like a 3.8% rise. WWDC has two (both Conservative) members on the IE. If they vote for a council tax freeze they would need several more Conservatives to join them to win the vote.

We will soon find out if enough of them have the nerve to stand up to Jane Scott (the Leader at WCC) and support the people of Wiltshire by opposing any council tax increase.

For my part I pledge, as the WCC councillor for Holt & Paxcroft Division, that I will not vote for any increase in council tax for 2009/10. We were told that the new unitary council would save us money; let's see the proof of that!