City Member of Parliament, Karl McCartney, has criticised Labour-run Lincoln City Council for raising Council Tax whilst failing to gather millions of pounds in uncollected revenues.
The information came to light following a Freedom of Information request which shows, over the last three years, the City Council is £3.3m in the red for Council Tax collection.
Business rate arrears over the three year period reached £887,000.
Mr McCartney says it is “outrageous” the Labour-led authority can raise council tax rather than going after the missing money.
Earlier in the year, Labour-led Lincoln upped the tax by 1.91% for 2015/2016 despite allowing £1million in council tax and £228k in business rates to go uncollected over 2014/2015
Karl said: “It is outrageous, but typical of the City’s Labour Councillors thought processes, that they believe hardworking taxpayers should be burdened further by Lincoln City Council’s inefficiencies with raids on their pay packets through increased Council Tax.
“What makes it worse is the Labour Party’s skewed and whining complaints about Government funding when, as this shows, there is plenty of scope to make savings for both the local taxpayer and investment in services.”
Notes to Editors:
Full FOI response from Lincoln City Council
I refer to your request for information received on 5 August 2015 concerning the above and confirm that we have taken your request to mean that you wish to know how much of the 2012/13 liability is collected in the relevant year ie between 1.4.2012 and 31.3.2013 inclusive and have responded accordingly.
On 31.3.2013 the outstanding balances for the liability for 2012/13
Council tax £1,184,459.78
Non Domestic Rates £373,795.67
On 31.3.2014 the outstanding balances for the liability for 2013/14
Council tax £1,151,125.41
Non Domestic Rates £285,805.30
On 31.3.2015 the outstanding balances for the liability for 2014/15
Council tax £1,049,784.83
Non Domestic Rates £228,115.98
ENDS
For further information call Conservative Party Regional Press Officer (Midlands) Mike Watkinson on 07825691355