Council tax rise set to be shot down, claims The Argus

A proposed council tax rise of 3.5 per cent by Brighton and Hove City Council looks set to be “shot down”, reports The Argus.

A show of unity from Conservative and Labour councillors against the Greens means the city’s 260,000 residents will get a freeze in their annual rates when the budget is agreed next month.

The freeze comes after a hard-hitting campaign by The Argus, which asked users whether they want a freeze on their council tax. As 68 per cent of users voted yes on a freeze, council leader Bill Randall had no choice but to accept The Argus’ unofficial referendum.

Labour and Co-op leader Gill Mitchell commented on the referendum: “The Argus poll has demonstrated resoundingly that people are not convinced by the Greens’ failing arguments. They want a council that’s on their side. They want a council tax freeze.”

This could prove to be good news for estate agents hoping to lure tenants to the area, as a council tax freeze makes Brighton and its surrounding area a more attractive place to live financially.

Another attractive prospect for the area is the news that Virgin Media is considering increasing broadband speeds across Brighton and Hove after a spate of complaints from consumers.

A spokesman from the company, cited by cable.co.uk, confirmed the upgrade: “Improvements are being rolled out at the moment and customers will start to see the benefits gradually over the coming weeks.”