Already the Coalition Government has announced it will freeze council tax for at least a year – possibly two if funding can be made available – while also looking to give residents the [...]]]> MP for Beverley and Holderness, Graham Stuart, today praised the new Government for the way it was giving power back to local communities.

 Already the Coalition Government has announced it will freeze council tax for at least a year – possibly two if funding can be made available – while also looking to give residents the right to veto high council tax rises.

 Graham said: “The previous government took the view that it always knew what was best for people. This government disagrees and thinks people should have the right to make up their own minds.

 “At the core of this philosophy is the belief that local people often know more about local issues than someone sitting in London.”

 Other local taxation issues which have already been tackled by the Coalition Government include scrapping Labour’s plans for new bin taxes on family homes. This would have harmed the environment by fuelling fly-tipping and encouraging backyard burning.

 The Coalition Government has introduced a more generous small business rate relief scheme, to help firms come out of recession, for one year starting in October. Firms with a Rateable Value under £6,000 will pay no business rates at all for a year.

 And importantly for those living and working along the banks of the River Humber it has scrapped Labour’s ports tax – unfair retrospective business rates on firms in ports which threatened to decimate those firms and damage Britain’s whole manufacturing sector.

 Graham added: “These are small steps in the right direction. I believe it is important people can see the Government is working for them and not simply dictating what will happen, I think it is important people know that the Government really cares and I think it important people have a real voice in shaping what happens in their own communities.”

A recent meeting of the council cabinet supported the bonus payment to her pension as part of an early retirement package.Welcoming news councillors plan to scrutinise the decision at a committee Graham said: “I [...]]]> Graham Stuart MP is asking the East Riding of Yorkshire Council to think again about a £364,000 discretionary payment to out-going corporate resources director Sue Lockwood.

A recent meeting of the council cabinet supported the bonus payment to her pension as part of an early retirement package.Welcoming news councillors plan to scrutinise the decision at a committee Graham said: “I think it is right this matter should be called in. I wonder how the council, in the current economic climate, can justify paying this sort of cash on a discretionary basis.

 ”Being called in will mean all councillors have a chance to examine their consciences, do the right thing and concentrate limited resources on the provision of front line services.”

Ms Lockwood’s post is expected to be advertised shortly with a similar salary package.

She will be the third senior East Riding officer to have been granted discretionary early retirement since significant pay rises in 2008.

 Graham said: “I am delighted the hard work, diligence and careful financial planning of the Conservative-led council now means this year’s Council Tax [...]]]> MP for Beverley and Holderness, Graham Stuart, today said efforts by the East Riding of Yorkshire council had meant this year’s Council Tax rise had been kept down to just 1.5 per cent.

 Graham said: “I am delighted the hard work, diligence and careful financial planning of the Conservative-led council now means this year’s Council Tax rise has been pegged back to just 1.5 per cent.

 “Across England Council Tax has rocketed under Labour and hurt families on fixed incomes most.

 “Pensioners and everyone else feeling the pinch will be pleased this Conservative-led council has kept bills down.”

 And commenting on the calls by the council’s Labour group that the Council Tax rise should have been set at three per cent, he said: “After 13 years of putting up the bills for pensioners Labour has learnt nothing and wanted to put up Council Tax by double what the rise will actually be.

 “The choice at the General Election is now clear – responsible government under the Conservatives or sky rocketing taxes under Labour.”

Meanwhile council leader Cllr Stephen Parnaby OBE announced that, despite the lower than expected rise, services would not be affected.

He told the Hull Daily Mail: “There is no doubt the economic downturn has affected everyone in some form or another and I believe a very modest increase, together with planning for the future throughout the year, is the best way forward and in everyone’s interest.”