Tory Budget Flawed

8.24.22pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 18th Feb 2005

The Tories have not done enough to cut spending on consultants, whilst the communications budget has risen by nearly 36% since last 2003/2004.

At the budget meeting of Surrey County Council the Liberal Democrats proposed cuts in spending on consultants, communications and "policy initiatives" in order to fund improved services for Surrey residents.

The proposals, which would NOT have increased the Council Tax above the 3.5% increase agreed by the County Council, were as follows:

• A cut of at least £2m in spending on consultants, the money to be used to fund improvements to the condition of the roads and footways which are in a poor condition.

• £500,000 cut to the communications budget, the money to be used to provide more support for carers, as only a small proportion of carers currently receive support.

• £300,000 cut to the "policy initiatives" budget, the money to be used to increase activities for young people.

The Conservative administration rejected these proposals. Councillor Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council said, "In proposing this amendment we were seeking to improve services for Surrey residents where most needed, whilst ensuring that Council Tax payers' money is not wasted."

The Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council opposed the Conservative administration's budget for 2005/06.

Hazel Watson said: "Although I welcome the single figure increase in Council Tax which is good news for pensioners and others on fixed incomes, I find the content of the budget unacceptable. The Conservative administration has not done enough to keep the Council Tax down, or to improve services by cutting wasted spending such as on consultants, which reached £16m last year. The communications budget has also risen steeply under the Tory administration, by nearly 36% since last year (2003/4)."

She added, "The Conservative administration's cuts 'require further validation'. This begs the question whether they are reliable and achievable. The Conservative Executive has stated that they 'will consider future savings in more detail once the 2005/06 budget has been agreed'. I believe that this is likely to mean cuts to front line services being announced later in the year, as has happened in the past, with bus cuts being announced half way through the year."

Related Link:

Hidden Risks in the Tory Budget