Cuts in wrong places say Liberal Democrats (Greenwich Borough Liberal Democrats)

Greenwich Borough Liberal Democrats <mail@greenwich-libdems.org.uk>

Cuts in wrong places say Liberal Democrats

February 26, 2009 10:00 AM

Liberal Democrat councillors welcomed last night's decision to freeze the council tax from April 2009.

Group Leader Cllr Brian Woodcraft said "In these uncertain economic times, I am glad that the council has taken seriously the impact the unfair council tax has on poor and elderly people. No increase this year will only make a small difference, but a welcome one."

However Liberal Democrat councillors voted against Labour's budget proposals at the council meeting. Councillor Paul Webbewood explained that while the Liberal Democrats were in favour of freezing the council tax, the wrong decisions had been taken to achieve this.

Cllr Webbewood commented "Greenwich Council has reached its current position following some painful measures. Services for vulnerable people have been cut to the bone, while the decision to charge for collecting bulky rubbish risks an increase in fly tipping.

"However there is one area of expenditure that has been rigorously protected from any savings - the extra allowances paid to Labour members. Greenwich has a cabinet of ten members, larger than many London Councils, and it is clear that not all of them have proper jobs. Cutting Cabinet numbers from ten to eight would save around £45,000 and send out the right message, without any impact on the Council's efficiency"