Is Labour councillor for or against council tax freeze?

Despite a strongly worded press release six weeks ago condemning the way that the freeze has affected the less well off and local government he has had a row with opposing members about his views.

At the recent NAC meeting SNP Councillor and depute council leader Alan Hill proposed a question which began: "Labour Councillors have been pressing through the columns of the local press for an increase in the council tax, in spite of the fact that their own party campaigned throughout the Scottish General Election in support of the SNP Government's Council Tax freeze." However, before Cllr. Hill was allowed to finish his question, local Labour Councillor Alex Gallagher intervened saying: "I don't know who these councillors are. I don't know of any Labour councillor who has asked in the press to raise council tax." Insisting that Mr Hill's statement was "not true", Mr Gallagher asked if his fellow councillor was still allowed to pose a question.

responded: "It is a valid question. Council officers don't police the validity of members' questions." Cllr Hill then proceeded with his question, this time stating: "Given that Cllr Gallagher has asked in the press for an increase in the council tax..." Mr Gallagher interrupted again, insisting that he had not made any call in the press for a council tax increase.

Cllr Hill replied: "Well that's certainly the spin the editor put on it." Provost Joan Sturgeon then intervened, insisting that Cllr Hill be allowed to finish his question without further interruptions.

Mr Hill asked: "1. What an average Band D increase would be across North Ayrshire to achieve a notional 4% increase in council tax received, and 2. The increase in council tax across North Ayrshire throughout the period of Labour control of this authority?" The answer, from policy holder for finance, Alex McLean, confirmed that the average Band D household in North Ayrshire would have to pay an extra �48 a year.

He pointed out that this would conflict with the Scottish Government's council tax freeze, ultimately leading to a net loss of �300,000 for the council.

He also confirmed that under Labour, between 1993 and 2007/8, council tax in North Ayrshire rose by 119 per cent.

Last month Councillor Gallagher issued a press release to the 'News' in which he challenged the council tax freeze, saying that only the wealthy benefited. The headline on page 3 was 'End Council Tax freeze - councillor demands 'wealthy' pay more.' Drew Cochrane, editor of the 'News' for 39 years said: "Mr Gallagher who is not slow in issuing statements never challenged our summation of his press release. Yet six weeks later he is in denial." Furthermore, in February NAC Labour leader, Councillor Peter Macnamara was aske why he thought that the tax freeze was against local democracy, after he had criticised the SNP administration policies.

Cllr. Macnamara told the 'News': "I think it is draconian. I feel that the council is effectively being blackmailed into agreeing a council tax freeze and that is what I feel is undemocratic. My argument is that local councillors should have the ability to set local taxes and be accountable for it." In his May press release, Councillor Gallagher said; "In March I asked North Ayrshire Council to prepare a report on the impact the council tax freeze has had on the council's budget and our ability to provide decent levels of public services.

"The evidence shows that the Council Tax freeze does not benefit those who are struggling in these difficult economic times. The report clearly shows that it is the wealthiest in our society, those who can well afford to pay, who benefit most from the Council Tax freeze." He added: "The Council Tax freeze attacks poorer households: it is they who bear the brunt of cuts in services and increased rent and other charges caused by the Council Tax Freeze." Mr Gallagher warned that if the freeze continued local government was "heading towards a financial cliff edge." However, this week he issued a statement claiming that this did not amount to asking for an end to the council tax freeze.

SNP Councillor Hill stated: "In the North Coast we well remember Labour's relentless annual above inflation Council Tax rises. The Council Tax freeze is a popular policy and one that actually benefits all families during these tough times." See Cochrane's Column on page 12.