TAX CON WARNING

11.10.55am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 9th Feb 2005

The leader of Hampshire Liberal Democrats has warned residents not to be conned when they receive their Council Tax bills.

With elections coming up in May, the Conservative-run County Council plans to raise Council Tax by another 3.5%. But this follows huge increases in previous years which are now being used to fund this lower rise just before the elections.

'In 2003 Hampshire Conservatives put council tax up by a whopping 15%. In fact since they took control of Hampshire County Council in 1997, council tax has gone up a massive 80%,' says Adrian Collett.

'Instead of using the money we have paid to improve services, they squirrelled it away for a political con-trick.'

Cllr Collett, who leads the Lib Dems at County Hall, points out that Council reserves and balances have ballooned to over £80 million.

'As Hampshire residents we are being forced to pay for an election tax con with our own money!'