The Tory Group have now compiled their first Council Tax rates and ended up with a 4.95% increase to £1418.41 for Band D which is no longer the lowest rate in Lancashire.    Also the grant from Government was the highest at just over 7% for many years.           During the Council debate, the Labour Group moved a number of amendments, which included
improving safety at the Cenotaph  (£30.000).
improvements to Carleton Crematorium   (£60,000),  
improving 3 Illumination tableaus   (£300,000),
refurbish Whitegate Family Centre   (£400,000), 
Parks   (£250,000).
Streets   (£400,000) 
School Milk prices to be frozen   (£20,000), 
freeze Social Services fees   (£100,000)
Councillors funding for wards   (£210,000)   
All were voted down by the Tories except the last one which was withdrawn following a promise by the Leader of the Council to review this item.

It will be interesting to see where the Tories eventually spend the "surplus" of £1.8 million pounds left after basic services have been covered.