Tories told: come clean on budget

CALLS have been made for Conservatives to come clean about cuts in next year's budget.

In a bid to find out more details about what services could be affected, Royal Borough Liberal Democrat councillors have stalled preliminary budget proposals.

The ruling party had planned to push through the report in order to make good on its pledge to keep council tax below inflation.

This year inflation was 1.4 per cent, meaning that the Conservatives will have to cut tax to honour their pre-election tax commitment.

However, Lib Dem leader, Cllr Simon Werner, said he has major concerns about the Royal Borough losing out services such as creches, childcare and leisure activities.

He added: "What are they hiding? We are making a plea for more information. The Tories plan major changes in council spending.

"Where there are continuing improved efficiencies, started by the Lib Dems, we welcome the savings. If however all they are doing is a cut, then that is another matter.

"Our borough should be encouraging people to become fitter not placing financial barriers in the way of residents. If these so-called savings are really counter-productive cuts we will oppose them. The Lib Dems will be vigorous in getting more detail to the public."

The report will now be reviewed by all four overview and scrutiny committees - ensuring extra meetings and hours of debate will take place.

However the Conservative's lead member for finance, Cllr Richard Kellaway said: "This delay tactic is annoying but it won't stop us from pushing through a tax cutting budget for 2010.

"We all know the Liberal Democrats are committed to high tax and overbearing bureaucracy: after all they raised tax by 25 per cent in their four years of office.

"As a group we are willing to take the tough decisions to put more money into the pockets of families and pensioners, people who are really suffering at this time.

"I should also point out that all of this will be done by cutting waste. We're maintaining and in many cases improving frontline services."