A DIRECT appeal to deputy prime minister John Prescott has come from Liberal Democrats in West Devon in an attempt to halt the rise in the borough's council tax demand.
The eight per cent increase was agreed last month after an alternative budget proposal from the Lib Dem group was rejected — a proposal the group claims could have saved ratepayers up to £31 on their tax bills.
Now an e-mail has been sent to Mr Prescott's private office explaining the alternative budget.
Cllr Nicholas Waterhouse, Lib Dem leader on the council, said: 'Ministers have powers to stop excessive council tax increases. Devon County council was "capped" by the last government and forced to re-bill at a lower rate and at heavy cost to the tax payer.
'If ministers agree to stop the West Devon increase in its tracks, the savings on the "fine" will pay for the extra paperwork.'
In the e-mail, Cllr Waterhouse takes what he terms a 'highly unusual' step in asking the Minister to cap West Devon for what he describes as a 'grossly excessive' tax rate.
He also points out the steep increase in Tavistock Town Council's precept.
Lesley Halton, borough treasurer, said: 'We have not set an excessive rate at all and we have nothing to fear whatsoever about any decisions we have made.'