Lib Dems want to soften the impact of savage Tory budget cuts
February 8, 2010 5:20 PM
"The Tories have looked in many of the wrong places to cut budgets in what we all agree is a difficult year for the county council's finances."
Lib Dem county leader Cllr Jerry Roodhouse
So said Cllr. Jerry Roodhouse (Rugby Eastlands & Hillmorton), leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group on Warwickshire County Council, ahead of tomorrow's vital Full Council debate to set the 2010/11 budget.
The Liberal Democrats will propose important changes to the Conservative administration's draft budget, to try to protect front line services from the worst impacts of savage budget cuts. Over £6 million of the £10 million 'savings' in the Tory budget are in fact cuts to front line departments, which will mean loss of vital services and amenities, large increase in charges or both.
Jerry Roodhouse continued:
"We repeat our demand from last year that the Cabinet is cut down to five posts, and that allowances for Conservative spokespeople are withdrawn - a combined saving of £85,000 in members allowances. The current situation of overlapping responsibilities is confusing and time-wasting. It is scandalous that council taxpayers are being asked to foot the bill for these so-called jobs that do nothing to add to the county council's effectiveness or performance."
The Lib Dems would save £200,000 a year by stopping many of the unnecessary glossy publications which continue to be put out by the council. We would also cut an ill-defined 'capacity building fund' of £404,000.
These changes plus a number of savings in other non-essential areas would enable the Lib Dems to 'soften the blow' of planned Tory cuts in two vital areas:-
• An additional £700,000 for Adult Services, to avoid the massive jumps in home care and day care charges planned over two years, which will hit some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Because of draft legislation going through Parliament the Tory plans to increase charges in 2010/11 may not be achievable anyway, putting further strain on already stretched adult social care budgets.
• Reducing the savings in the County Music Service demanded by the Tories by a further £200,000, to give this well-respected and much-loved service more time to adjust and find additional funding sources.
"The County Music Service has long been a 'jewel in the crown' of Warwickshire", said Cllr Sarah Boad (Leamington Crown), Lib Dem deputy leader. "The idea that it's only for the children of well-off middle-class families is rubbish. I represent one of the most deprived areas of the county, and know from first-hand experience how access to good, affordable music tuition can raise the ambition and aspiration of all young people.
"The Tories have belatedly tried to appease angry parents by announcing a short delay to their cuts while they carry out yet another 'review', but no-one should be fooled by this."
The Lib Dems want to lift the massive uncertainty of the Fire Service review and the threat to close seven fire stations, which continues to hang over residents and staff. We re-confirm that no fire stations should close in Warwickshire.
The overall Lib Dem changes would reduce the required council tax increase slightly, from 2.4% to 2.35%. Although we would like to have done more to reduce the impact of the Tory budget cuts, we are very aware that many council tax payers are on relatively fixed incomes and need protecting in these difficult economic times.
"The next few years will be hard for many vital public services in Warwickshire", concluded Jerry Roodhouse. "We have tried in our budget amendment to soften some of the worst of the Tory cuts, but the scale of the financial problem facing the county council is immense.
"Only radical steps to cut out waste and duplication across departments and different local authorities can hope to protect vital front line services from further damaging cuts in future years. The track record of this Tory administration has been lamentably weak so far. Warwickshire residents deserve much better."
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