We need to get the basics right, spending money carefully, deliver good services, and keep council tax fair
For too long, too many councils have treated council tax rises as the easy option. But here in Fylde and Wyre, our Conservative led councils take a different approach, writes Andrew Snowden MP.
They keep a tight grip on spending, plan ahead, and make sure that what you pay stays as low as possible in real terms, while still delivering the services people rely on. Across the country, the pattern is clear. Conservative councils consistently deliver better value for money than those run by Labour, the Liberal Democrats, or Reform.
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Before the election, Sir Keir Starmer promised a Labour Government would freeze council tax. Like so many of his promises, that did not last long.
And what about Reform? They now run Lancashire County Council after last year’s elections. They promised to fix every pothole and cut your council tax. Instead, the roads are worse than ever, and they have put council tax up, in some areas by as much as 9%. They can talk a good game, but they are not delivering where it matters.
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Here in Fylde, even when council tax has gone up, the actual increase for most households is relatively small, around a few pounds a year. That is the difference sensible financial management makes. It is not about headlines, it is about keeping costs down in a way that is realistic and responsible.
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And it is not just about today. Conservative run Fylde and Wyre have built up sensible reserves so when big projects come along, they do not have to reach straight for more debt or higher taxes.
That is how plans like reopening Kirkham Baths and modernising St Annes Pool are being delivered responsibly. In contrast, neighbouring Labour run Blackpool is sitting on 500 million pounds of debt.
And there is another real concern. Labour want to force Fylde and Wyre into a merger with Blackpool. Even worse, Reform are proposing a huge super council stretching from Blackpool to Preston, Morecambe and Clitheroe. I am fiercely opposed to both. These plans would mean higher costs, less local accountability, and decisions taken further away from our communities.
Being Conservative in local government is not about chasing headlines. It is about getting the basics right, spending your money carefully, delivering good services, and keeping council tax fair.
It might not be flashy, but it works. And it is exactly what residents in Fylde and Wyre deserve.