Parties in angry clashes over Telford budget
Telford & Wrekin Council's Labour administration launched an impassioned defence of its budget plans, while the Conservative opposition pledged to rip up the proposals if they claim a majority in May's local elections.
In a heated meeting of full council, held at The Place in Oakengates on Thursday evening, members voted to approve the budget, which contains a 3.2 per cent council tax rise, and pledges for spending on a project to improve high streets, free swimming for under 18s, and a public transport plan.
The authority has said that it will also see an extra £6 million invested into adult social care and children's services.
The 3.2 per cent council tax increase will cost the borough’s average band B home an extra 60p a week.
Councillor Lee Carter, the Labour administration's cabinet member for finance, commercial services & economic development, told the meeting the council had made £117 million of savings as a result of Government cuts since they came to power.
The figure was hotly contested by Conservative opposition councillors who repeatedly spoke to claim that the level of cuts was lower than suggested.
Presenting the budget Councillor Carter told the hall: "The government only now contributes 8p in every net pound in our budget."
He reacted strongly to opposition claims over the level of cuts, saying: "I am angry that you have had 11 minutes speaking and you have not had one positive thing to say about Telford & Wrekin."
He added: "I am also angry that you deny £117 million worth of savings."
Responding to the budget proposal opposition Councillor Adrian Lawrence pledged that if the Conservatives secure a majority in the forthcoming local elections then they would put forward a replacement within 100 days.
He said: "We are committed to do a 100 day budget and will come up with our own priorities and communicate them to residents."
Opposition leader, Councillor Andrew Eade, listed a number of issues he had with the figure relating to cuts, claiming some were made up of money the council should already have been saving.
He said: "£12.8 million is through savings on how and where we buy goods for this council, something the council should been doing all along."
Councillor Nigel Dugmore was also critical of the spending on the Telford 50 celebrations, claiming it was "austerity for the many, parties for the few".
In response councillor Carter said his opponents were guilty of hypocrisy, and warned that the "critical eye of the electorate is coming".
Council leader Shaun Davies also took aim over the lack of an opposition budget.
He said: "How dare they say it is an easy thing to put a budget together when they have not bothered to do so for the last two years."
Labour Councillors also hailed the performance of NuPlace, the firm set up by the council to provide rented homes.
Councillor Rob Sloan used the idea to question neighbouring Shropshire Council's decision to spend more than £50million on buying Shrewsbury's shopping centres.
He said: "I would rather we invested in things like NuPlace than the high street like a council down the road, which I think is a risky strategy."
