WARRINGTON Borough Council bought Birchwood Business Park for more than £200 million using an offshore company, avoiding tax of about £10 million.
This is a spectacular own goal for a Labour council.
If a council avoids tax what example is that setting?
Councils are only funded by local and national taxation so the council is damaging itself and the range of services it offers to the people and communities of Warrington.
If a council avoids tax, small businesses will avoid VAT and run two sets of books.
People will try to work for cash whenever they can.
Taxation will fall, but people will say that if the council does it it, then so can we.
They already see the rich and famous using tax havens.
Locally and nationally, if taxes are not paid properly, austerity will follow as services cannot be funded.
There is no magic money tree.
Councillors should demand a full report and ensure disciplinary action is taken for the staff that agreed to this.
DAVE PLUNKETT Cheshire
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