By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Shire Hall’s Conservative leaders have thrown down the gauntlet and called on Reform UK’s Nigel Farage to a debate after posting “misleading” party propaganda to voters.
In the letter sent to postal voters in the county Reform makes the claim that Tory-run Gloucestershire County Council has “wasted vast amounts of taxpayer money, run up huge debts and keeps cutting services”.
Mr Farage goes on to say that residents’ bins are not being collected frequently enough – something which has nothing to do with the County Council.
Rubbish collections are the responsibility of the six district authorities in Gloucestershire which include Gloucester City Council or Cheltenham Borough Council.
He also says in the letter that Shire Hall has racked up £221 million and raised the council tax bill by £355 over the last four years.
Tory finance cabinet member Lynden Stowe (Campden-Vale) takes Mr Farage to task in an open letter and points out some of his figures “are clearly wrong” while others are out of context.
“You come from a strong financial background – you should have done better,” he said.
“You say that Gloucestershire County Council tax has risen by £335 over the past four years. This is not a figure we recognise.
“The figure for a band D dwelling has actually increased by £270. An increase of 19 per cent.
“Yes, it’s too high. But let’s be sensible and compare it with inflation over the same period which according to the Bank of England (consumer prices index) was 23 per cent.
“You say that GCC has ‘run up huge debts’ and ‘racked up debts of £221 million’.
“Whilst that is the long-term debt figure it needs to be set in the context of the council’s healthy revenue reserves, cash balances and investments.
“Again, with your strong financial background you will understand the adage ‘borrow long to finance long’.
“How else is a county council going to fund infrastructure projects – new roads, new schools, new care homes, that have asset lives of 30 to 50 years?
“Surely, you are not expecting today’s council taxpayers to pick up the whole tab today to pay for these long-term asset investments?
“You wouldn’t in any well-run business either. Nor would most folk buy a house that way.”
He also goes on to say that while being objective may not suit Mr Farage’s political purposes he suggests he direct his “rockets” at other “basket-case” councils elsewhere in the country.
“You mention ‘bins not being collected frequently enough’.
“Whilst I don’t, in any event, think it’s a fair comment in Gloucestershire, I’m sure even you know that in a two-tier system, it is the district councils and not Gloucestershire County Council who arrange bin collections.
“You state (the council) ‘keep cutting services to you’. Please elaborate as I can’t think of any GCC services that have been cut?
“It’s clear that either you or your researcher are badly informed as regards to Gloucestershire County Council.
“For me it’s a ‘matter of pride’ that I’ve been part of a Conservative team that has done right for our residents in Gloucestershire in maintaining services, delivering efficiencies and, equally, importantly remaining a prudent and financially-sound council.”
He has invited Mr Farage to retract his comments and has offered him a one-to-one private meeting where he can provide a full briefing on Gloucestershire County Council finances to allay his concerns.
Or a head-to-head public debate in Gloucestershire to discuss the finances of the County Council.
“Please let me know when you’re free,” he added. “Otherwise, please take your tanks out of Gloucestershire.”
Reform has not said whether Mr Farage will take Cllr Stowe up on his offer of a public debate or private briefing.
A Reform UK spokesman said: “As admitted by Cllr Stowe our figures are correct. The Conservatives have delivered higher taxes and failing councils up and down the country, including in Gloucestershire.
“Only a vote for Reform on May 1 is a vote to fix Gloucestershire.”