Tax cash diverted to bed-blocking crisis (From Free Press Series)

Tax cash diverted to bed-blocking crisis

LOCAL householders will be hit by higher council tax bills this year because of a National Assembly decision to spend a £22million windfall on health.

Chancellor Gordon Brown intended the £22 million granted to Wales to enable councils to keep council tax rises to a minimum.

But the National Assembly has decided to invest the vast majority of that money in social care to try to solve a continuing bed-blocking crisis in Welsh hospitals.

Monmouth MP Huw Edwards and Monmouth AM David Davies have both written to Gordon Brown asking him to investigate the Assembly's decision.

Mr Edwards said taxpayers now faced a 10.5 per cent rise, rather than an estimated 8.5 per cent, had they been given their £500,000 share of the £22 million.

For band D payers in Monmouthshire that amounts to an annual rise of £88, from £841 to £929.

Mr Edwards also attacked the distribution of a deprivation grant which saw Monmouthshire given just £10.

Monmouth AM David Davies added: "This is an appalling decision. The money from the government was intended to keep council tax levels down and the Assembly decision to divert the money is disgusting."

He added that he had already been contacted by constituents who were thinking about withholding their council tax payment in protest.

"I don't condone the non-payment of council tax but I have every sympathy with people who cannot understand this Assembly decision. I will be protesting vociferously about this."