Local government minister, Bob Neill, has urged councils not to treat residents like ‘cash cows' and hike up their charges for services, following evidence many authorities are considering above-inflation rises in fees for transport, waste and adult education.
In response to The MJ's front page story last week – ‘Charges set to rocket as spending cuts bite' – which indicated three-quarters of councils were anticipating increases in charges during the forthcoming spending squeeze, Mr Neill warned large fees hikes were not necessary to fill the void created by reduced central grants. He told The MJ: ‘There are plenty of opportunities for councils to balance their books without pushing up charges and turning local residents into cash cows.
