Labour budget branded 'lazy and lame'
THE Conservative opposition on North East Lincolnshire Council slammed the ruling group's spending proposals as a "lazy" and "lame Labour budget".
The group voted against the authority's 2013/14 budget along with all four Liberal Democrats and the council's sole UKIP member on Thursday.
-
Critic: Councillor John Fenty
It was passed with unanimous backing from Labour councillors, as reported.
Councillor John Fenty (Con, Haverstoe) described the ruling group as "lazy and remiss", accusing them of taking the easy option by using reserves to prop up their spending proposals.
Spend £80 or more on Dermalogica & Receive a FREE Brighten up Gift box worth £25.00
Contact: 01507 211711
Valid until: Saturday, August 31 2013
The council will take an extra £267,000 out of reserves in the next financial year to pay for a series of last minute amendments, including deferrals on increases to charges for meals on wheels and taxi licences, and hosting the Britain In Bloom awards ceremony.
Councillor Iain Colquhoun (Con, Waltham) questioned the decision to spend £175,000 on marketing and tourism, saying it was based on nothing more than a "sheet of paper" with no business plan.
And Melanie Dickerson (Con, Wolds) said she could not support the move to "charge increased costs for the most vulnerable people in the community" by charging for the number of carers a person requires to look after them.
She said the decision to slash ward funding by £2,000 in each ward was "ill-conceived" and would restrict the ability of ward councillors to improve the lives of residents.
Councillor Steve Beasant (Lib Dem, East Marsh) described the budget as a "hatchet job" and said the £14 million of savings were written in "invisible ink".
He added: "Nobody knows what's in that £14 million. Would business set a budget like this? Vote on it tonight and then tomorrow take out a knife and slash it. Nobody would run a business like that. I can't vote for it."
5 Comments
by DannyWilde
Monday, February 25 2013, 8:02AM
“Seems to be many red arrows, have council cronies had their bows out?”
by davel60
Saturday, February 23 2013, 3:35PM
“£30,000 though!!! I know hospitality isn't cheap but, £30,000... Really?
I would love to see the break down of this one... What do reckon £15,000 to do the job, £15,000 to ensure the "right people" get the contract?”
by whatajoke112
Saturday, February 23 2013, 11:34AM
“Agree, trouble is with a working majority Humpty-Numpty Shaw can do whatever he likes. Because agree with him or not the other Labour cllrs have to toe the line.
One thing though, I think that this council shoul persue Bob Callison and his other In Bloom cronies for the £30,000 as it was him that agreed to the hosting of the Britain in Bloom shin dig, without approval of the council. There were many thinks in this budget that could have been phased in at a percentage increase, thus saving money. I would have suggested had I been a cllr, cutting cllr's allowances by 50% to show solace with other people taking hits (to much to ask for a politican to do a noble thing I suppose), I would have looked at top-level executive pay cuts and certainly wouldn't pluck ''event'' and ''marketing'' figures out of the air without knowing anything about where they were going. In fcat I'm thinking of starting my opwn local political party to be run for and by the people for the people of NEL and give local people a real voice, not one that is directed by national party interests.”
by Breano
Saturday, February 23 2013, 11:11AM
“SELF SELF SELF thats our Cuncillors”
by minstral
Saturday, February 23 2013, 10:48AM
“The Fat Controller has put his foot in it again.£30k for hosting an event after he's had the flowers removed. What planet is this loony on?”