Tory Council inflexible on Libdems proposed budget amendment

6.59.55pm GMT Sun 11th Mar 2007

Councillor Tony Skottowe

'Mean minded and inflexible' was how LibDem Councillor Tony Skottowe described the Conservative administration's refusal to accept the budget amendment the LibDems tabled last week. "I find it hard to work out what was their problem", said Cllr Skottowe, "The proposal would have still left the council's budget better off with added income of around £120,000, and with £3.5M more in the bank!"

The LibDem amendment was based on using around £55,000 from the £170,000 additional interest that will be earned from the capital unexpectedly unspent when the PCT reneged on its promise to move into the Healthy Living Centre in Hatfield. "With the Centre sadly cancelled," said Tony, "we have £3.5M available and all we were asking was that the Conservatives use some of the extra interest that we will be earning to cancel the price increases on Meals on Wheels and Shopper Hopper, and use a little bit more to reduce the proposed Council Tax increase by ½%, to 2 ½% from 3%." The suggestion was turned down flat by the Tories.

"I am not sure whether they did not understand the idea, or simply did not want to", said Cllr Skottowe. "This was using unexpected extra interest to make life a little easier for our more disadvantaged citizens, and offering some relief to all our hard-pressed council tax payers. No doubt the voters will make their views known next May."