….  which is a very interesting question, as unlike other councils, there is no examination of the budget at any point before it arrives at the budget meeting by anyone except the ruling Conservative group, and the officers who have to put it together based on their wishes.

The Lib Dems talked about the lack of transparency, about car parking charges -which may or may not be going up, about the rubbish collection changes.  But the bit that really seems to have infuriated the Conservatives was us pointing out that not everything was quite as wonderful as they were making out.

The Conservatives are running the council.  It is THEIR job to make out they are doing a brilliant job and that all their budget proposals are marvellous.  It is not OUR job, as the opposition.  OUR job is to dismember the budget and point out the differences between their claims and reality.  And they do oversell.  Such as?  Well, announcing £26 million of investment in schools.  Sounds great?  Except:  it is over the 3 years 2012-2015 – whereas last year they announced £26 million would be spent on schools in the two years 2012-2014.     And announcing £1 million extra for social care for 2012/13.  Except that represents less extra money than they said previously they would be spending.   Etc. etc. 

There will be no council tax increase this year.  That’s a good thing for taxpayers when money is tight.  But it puts more pressure on next year’s budget, because costs keep going up.   I just wish the Tories would be honest about that.  But instead, when I pointed that out, what was their reaction?  To try and claim it meant I was proposing an increase in Council Tax now.  A complete distortion.

   Leave a comment