Mayor Taylor and the Liberal Democrat-run council have made much noise about their recent budget, passed at council on January 24 (“Watford Council raises tax by 1.5 per cent,” Watford Observer, 28/01/2022).

But the truth is that dismissing the increase with a mayoral wave of the hand and a “below inflationary increase” justification is pure spin.

A 1.5 per cent increase in council tax is a very real whack to the finances of Watford residents. Additionally, the mayor does not talk so much about the stealth taxes they are introducing, with many charges for services increasing, including the disgraceful hike in burial fees during a global pandemic that has seen around 170,000 people die in this country.

It has been widely reported in the news that families face being on average £2,000 a year worse off this year, owing to the cost-of-living crisis affecting us all.

Into this bleak picture wades mayor Taylor and his Liberal Democrat administration, proclaiming they are delivering for Watford with their budget. They are not.

For readers who care to look at the detail, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has reported that inflation (Consumer Price Index) has increased to 5.4 per cent in December 2021.

Of course, the 5.4 per cent CPI measure for inflation ignores housing costs. I’m willing to bet that most Watford residents have housing costs to consider. When you factor them in, inflation (Retail Price Index) is running at an eye-watering 7.5 per cent, the highest for decades.

“So what?” you might ask, if council tax is being increased again. Well, it matters because most people are not experiencing higher wages. The ONS reports that after inflation is considered, wage growth from September to November 2021 was between zero and 0.4 per cent. It’s even worse if you look at the November figures, which show wages actually falling in real terms.

A 1.5 per cent increase in council tax and a bunch of stealth taxes are starting to look a lot more painful a hit for already cash-strapped Watford residents.

Matt Turmaine

Councillor, Holywell Ward

Chair, Finance Scrutiny Committee