New Forest Liberal Democrats put forward plans for no increase in council tax.
In a budget that promised that the New Forest would be a greener, fairer and safer place, the Liberal Democrats tried to stop the ruling conservative group from imposing a 2% increase, matching a similar increase on Hampshire County Council.

Councillor David Harrison, Liberal Democrat Leader of the opposition group on New Forest District Council, told fellow councillors that there was no need to increase council tax once again. He was critical of the way the ruling group had wasted over £300,000 on the “slippery floor” legal case, equal to about £5 for every taxpayer in the district.

Cllr. Harrison said “There are many people who struggle to meet increases in council tax every year. It is high time we said enough is enough”. Liberal Democrat plans included disposal of unwanted assets and delaying expenditure. However, the bid was defeated by the ruling conservative group, keen to hold onto reserves, at least until the district elections in 2011.