Vale of White Horse District Council Conservatives this week made their own proposal for Council Tax. At the Council's budget meeting, where the ruling Lib Dem group were proposing a 5%, the Conservatives proposed a rise of only 2% (in line with current inflation). This plan to help local residents by trying to make council bills a little more affordable was rejected by the Lib Dem majority. They said the public wanted the Council to spend more money, and if they could they would have increased council tax by even more than 5%. It emerged after last years budget that the Lib Dems had proposed and increase of 25%, but this had been struck down by Government. Speaking on the Conservative proposal, Cllr Matthew Barber commented "We had demonstrated that the 2% increase, in line with inflation, was achievable." A public consultation had confirmed the view that the Council is seen by many as wasting money. Cllr Barber added "There is a great deal of waste within the Council, if it was run more efficiently we could deliver both lower taxes and better services for local people. They are crying our for a change!".