Ahead of Warwickshire County Council’s budget meeting on Thursday, the Liberal Democrat group has reacted with incredulity to the Labour proposals published yesterday.

Against a background of swingeing central government cuts to its revenue support grant to the County Council, which will necessitate a complete re-appraisal of the current 4-year savings plan during the course of 2016/17, this was the year for political groups on the Council to concentrate on a few essential priorities to fine-tune the plans already in train.

Instead, the Labour group has done the opposite. It is proposing a myriad of budget changes, many of them quite small, but collectively adding up to quite a lot. No explanations have been offered as to the justification of the changes, or their possible impact.

Liberal Democrats believe it is the role of elected members to set the overall strategic direction and key priorities for the County Council, not to attempt to “micro manage” the work of highly-paid county officers as Labour is seeking to do.

A few old Labour chestnuts have re-appeared, for example a proposal to put back £250,000 into the street lighting budget to “reverse the part-night operation of street lights for those communities that want it”. There is no evidence that this is needed or wanted, and the practicalities of finding out what communities might “want” are not addressed.

There is also a further saving of £154,000 in waste management, rising to £254,000 in 2017/18, with again no explanation or impact. However, since Labour have proposed in the past that household waste recycling centres in Kenilworth, Shipston-on-Stour, Stockton and Wellesbourne should be closed, presumably these are in Labour’s firing line again.

Cllr Jerry Roodhouse (Rugby Eastlands & Hillmorton), Liberal Democrat group leader, said:

“Thankfully I see very little chance of these Labour budget proposals being supported by any of the other political groups. Perhaps this is what they want?

“Labour has no plan and is looking to play party politics, with no vision for Warwickshire. At least the Liberal Democrats are keeping to our priorities, putting families first along with ensuring roads get mended and pot holes get filled. The Conservatives are giving more taxes for fewer services.”

 

ENDS