Plans to freeze council tax for Kenilworth residents have been labelled "ridiculous" by the leader of the Liberal Democrats on Warwick District Council.

WDC's cabinet unanimously approved a recommendation not to put up council tax for the next financial year last Thursday.

District councils are allowed to introduce the larger of a 1.99 per cent or £5 increase for 2022/23.

But Cllr Alan Boad said not putting up tax was a gesture that actually made the council look foolish.

"The idea of a cabinet doing a no council tack increase is plainly ridiculous," he said at last week's cabinet meeting.

"The argument given for it is that we will show we are supporting our residents, supporting them to save 9.6p per week. That is a bit weak I have to say."

With Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police announcing they would increase their council tax precepts, Cllr Boad said WDC would still get the blame.

"Who do you think is going to get the blame for that? The billing authority," he added.

"We send the bills out and so we will get blamed, nobody ever reads what the police charge and what the county council charge.

"You can argue as much as you like that it is not ours, and we can say to residents 'we are helping you save 9.6p per week' – but how ridiculous does that look, and how ridiculous is it."

But cabinet members defended the decision to freeze council tax, saying it was a statement that needed to be made.

Cllr Jan Matecki said: "You have got to make a stand. You have got to think about the people and set an example.

"I think what we are doing is setting an example to others that you don't have to raise your taxes if you don't need to, you have to think about our residents and the hardships they are going through."

Cllr Richard Hales, portfolio holder for resources, said just because other councils across the UK and in Warwickshire were putting up taxes, WDC should not have to follow suit.

"We have managed this budget across the council to put money aside for a rainy day, but it is now raining for our residents," he said.

"It is only right that we work with our residents to ensure, even though it is a small amount, that we are standing with them ensuring we are feeling that pain together.

"It is the right thing to do. I was always taught that just because it is what everyone else is doing, doesn't mean it is the right thing to do."

The full council will vote on the council tax freeze on February 23.

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