OPPOSITION councillors all calling on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to scrap a proposed council tax increase.

Councillor Steve Turner, who represents UKIP on the council, is working alongside Independent members to try and persuade the ruling Labour group to reinvest money received from land sales instead of increasing council tax.

Cllr Turner said: “I and a number of independent councillors believe that whilst many of the officers in our council have to be commended for the work they’ve done in cutting out costs, without being detrimental to our services to residents, it’s now time to give back some of the windfall we’ve received.

“We will receive millions of pounds from sale of land at Swans corner. That money belongs to the residents of the area and I want us to give some of it back, not only ensuring we don’t put through a rise but going even further and cutting council tax to every resident by one per cent for the next two years.

“It can be done but only if there is political will to do so and I call upon my fellow Cllrs from all Parties to help me make this happen.”

The plea comes just days after the Labour group announced plans to cut up to 100 jobs whilst also imposing a two per cent council tax rise alongside an additional two per cent increase for adult social care services.