Laura Sharman 12 May 2015

Tax payers vote 'no' in first council tax increase referendum

Residents in Bedfordshire have voted against a £4.5m increase in their council tax bills.

The UK’s first referendum on a council tax increase was called after the county’s police and crime commissioner, Olly Martins, put forward a 15.8% increase to fund an extra 135 police officers.

However, tax payers have rejected the increase with nearly 65% of voters against the rise.

Bedford Borough Council will now issue re-calculated council tax bills to residents at a cost of £250,000.

#Council tax

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