"Westminster's
ideologically-driven cuts to local councils are huge and relentless while
demand for our services continues to grow.
"Vulnerable people who depend
on our services are being threatened from Westminster like never before."
Mr Kitcat said the authority had
managed to save tens of millions pounds but that it could no longer find enough
efficiencies to absorb all the cuts.
Green Party leader Natalie Bennett
said: "Instead of letting Whitehall impose cuts on vulnerable people in
Brighton and Hove, this announcement takes the decision to the people."
Brighton Pavilion Green MP Ms Lucas
said: "This is a bold move and one that I know the council is taking very
reluctantly.
"The people have not voted for
austerity. They have not chosen to have services they rely on destroyed by
draconian cuts. This is an appalling situation, for which the Coalition
Government is alone to blame."
It is estimated that a 4.75%
increase would mean a rise of £5.30 a month for a Band C property and £5.97 for
an average Band D home. People who claim council tax reduction will be
protected.
Warren Morgan, leader of the
Brighton and Hove Labour group, said: "We cannot support such a huge
increase when people are finding it hard to meet rising bills.
"Instead, they have handed the
responsibility of dealing with the cuts to others. They cannot now remain in
office playing these political games rather than running the city
effectively."
Mr Kirby said: "Council tax is
one of the biggest bills faced by many of my constituents and this plan by the
Green administration for an eye-watering 4.75% rise in bills is outrageous.
"The Government is doing all it
can to help people with the cost of living, for instance by lifting 2.4 million
of the lowest earners out of income tax altogether, reducing the average
taxpayers bill by £700 and cutting fuel duty.
"It is also investing in the
pupil premium and increasing spending on the NHS, whilst reducing the biggest
peace-time deficit in a hundred years.
"If the Government can manage
to take such proactive measures to help hard-working residents then the city
council should be doing the same here in Brighton."
The plan will go to council next
month, unless opposed by Labour and Conservative councillors. It could then go
to a ballot on May 22 - coinciding with European Parliament elections to limit
admin costs.
Local Government minister Brandon
Lewis said: "This Government has given local residents new powers to veto
high council tax rises. We should trust the people.
"But Brighton's full council
should also consider this Government's council tax freeze offer - extra central
funding is on the table for Brighton if it freezes council tax and helps
hard-working people with the cost of living"
