So Surrey CC are putting up their precept for 2012-13 by 2.99% having turned down the offer by government of a subsidy if spending increased by no more that 2.5%., so that our council tax would be frozen.

But wait a minute. To fund this subsidy government are borrowing yet more to add to the still-rising national debt. And here is the catch: next year they would claw-this back and repeat the process of grant reduction in succeeding years. I wonder what sums other councils  taking the 'bribe' have done. By turning down the subsidy SCC leadership have done us no favours, but in their shoes I think I would have done the same.   comments please to stag@surreytaxaction.org