At tonight’s Budget meeting of Tendring District Council the Labour group will propose amendments to the Conservative administration’s budget designed to use available funding for the benefit of residents.
Labour will table three separate amendments targeting different areas of policy which will re allocate the direction of funding to target the local need for regeneration and increased economic development along with tackling specific aspects dealing with assisting the most vulnerable and improving community life.
Labour believes that the budget as proposed fails to address fundamental issues within Tendring and also weakens the council’s on going finances. In particular, Labour believes the proposed 0.5% reduction in council tax is nothing more than a party political gesture. If the administration fails to accept any of the Labour amendments then Labour councillors will vote against the proposed reduction in council tax although the group will reconsider its position if amendments are accepted which will result in a greater benefit to the district being achieved than is lost under such a council tax reduction.
Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Les Double, says
“This Tory budget does nothing to improve the lot of residents while risking future finances through a meaningless cut in council tax. The four unnecessary Tories sitting in the cabinet cost more than the entire council tax reduction.”
Labour’s three amendments to the budget proposal are
That economic development and regeneration across the District be significantly enhanced at this most difficult time for families by the provision of additional funding of £500,000, to be taken from the Fit for Purpose budget, and to be spent on a programme of work/activity to be agreed by the Cabinet within the next 3 months in consultation with all Group Leaders.
Les Double says
“At a time of increasing unemployment it is beyond belief that the Tories are not focussing on local regeneration and economic development. We need successful businesses and more jobs locally and the budget should be recognising this.”
Funding be provided to:
a. Reverse the 48% increase in the hire charges for sports pitches imposed in 2011;
b. Continue the Disabled Go scheme for a further 3 years; and
c. Carry out a full feasibility study for the development of a Foyer in the district to support young people all to be funded from the reduction in number of Cabinet Members, including the Leader of the Council, to 6 and/or from the revenue surplus for 2012/13.
Les Double says
“It is obscene that four Tory cabinet members are receiving a total of £40,000 a year without having departments to run. For this amount we can continue to fund ‘Disabled Go’, thoroughly investigate establishing a Foyer for Tendring that would assist the homeless and most vulnerable in our community and reverse the crazy pitch hire charges that now mean that sports clubs can no longer afford to use council owned facilities.”
That the decision taken by the council on 18th February 2010 be implemented without further delay and that work be completed during 2012/2013 to upgrade and refurbish Dovercourt Swimming Pool and Sports Hall in accordance with a substantial scheme to be agreed within the next 3 months by the Cabinet In consultation with all Group Leaders, to be funded from the existing budgeted provision for the swimming pool and an additional £800,000 in respect of the sports hall to be funded from the Fit for Purpose budget.
Les Double says
“It is now two years since the council voted for this project and yet the Tories still refuse to deliver it. The neglect is shameful and avoidable. The money is still available and there are no excuses for Harwich being treated like this.”
Labour will also support a Tendring 1st amendment calling for £120,000 to be taken from the ‘Big Society’ fund in order to re establish personal budgets for councillors to fund small schemes within their own wards.
Les Double says
“The Tories ‘Big Society Fund’ has proved to be little more than a private pot for senior Tories to use to aid pet projects. The voluntary sector is being squeezed across the district and we need to go back to the system that ensures available funding is spread more widely and fairly.”
The three Labour amendments can all be achieved without any borrowing by the council and would still leave the £4 million in uncommitted reserves. Each amendment has been scrutinised by TDC’s Finance officers and has been accepted as legitimate.
“Labour’s budget amendments are affordable and beneficial,” continued Les Double. “In our view they are of a far greater priority than a council tax cut which would not buy each household a single loaf of bread per year and a desire by the Tories to keep nine Tory councillors in a cabinet that is only overseeing five council departments.”
For further information please contact
Les Double on 01255 242645
Ivan Henderson on 07889 367822