THE Labour opposition group has laid out plans to amend Lichfield District Council’s budget.
The local authority will meet tomorrow (25th February) to agree its financial plans for the coming year, as well as setting council tax.
But after discussions between different groups on the council – which is currently in no overall control – the Labour group has asked for consideration to be given to alternative plans for the £2.1million growth budget.
Cllr Sue Woodward, leader of the opposition, said:
“The Labour group of councillors have been having discussions about the priorities for funding – for example in discussions with residents at our local advice surgeries – since last autumn and we put our suggestions to the Conservative administration early in November.
“It is really good to know that the council has money for growth in its services and on the whole we have had very productive discussions with the Conservative leadership. They have incorporated a number of our proposals into their report, which is very welcome and refreshing.
“However, a number of our proposals were not accepted, hence our alternative budget.”
Among the proposals are funding for climate change initiatives, local ward-based improvements and money for better accessibility to public buildings.
Cllr Colin Ball, deputy leader of the Labour group, added:
“I am delighted that after pushing for this since I was first elected to the district council in 2018 the Conservatives have finally agreed to set aside £2million for much needed social rented housing in our district.
“The Conservatives have also agreed to increase staffing numbers in our hard-pressed housing team and also towards enforcement staff to tackle issues in private rented housing.
“We are hoping that we can persuade enough councillors to back our alternative budget to deliver priorities that are important to our district’s residents.”
Just cast your minds back to the recent local elections when Labour could’ve put themselves in the position of council leaders but prefer to stay in opposition. Now instead of actually being responsible for the budget they’re just enjoying playing at writing them. It’s easier to be opposition. Lichfield will be better off when these negative and short sighted councillors have been moved on. What have they done for us? They offer nothing but criticism.
I doubt if Saddlers came to tonight’s budget setting meeting but he/she might be interested to know that the Alternative Budget was supported by the whole Council, unanimously.
the irony of our local labour representatives banging the drum about growth isn’t lost on me.
Cllr Sue Woodward, it’s hardly an alternative budget, you made a few amendments which I suspect was politically motivated as Labour can’t be seen fully supporting the Tories. The Tories accepting the amendments seems to suggest they’ve decided to put petty politics aside, maybe it’s time for Labour to do the same.
And this is why party politics should play no part in local councils decisions. It might be naïve of me but if I had the power I would advocate that all Cllrs. should not be aligned in public life to any party and that they should all be independent and the electorate be allowed to vote for the best person to do the job and not be influenced by a political party. Sadly when local elections come round often people vote for someone other than who is in national government at the time because they are not happy with them.
Let’s take a look at recent history. Recession in 1956, Tory government.
Recession in early 80s, Tory government.
Recession in early 90s, Tory government.
A Tory government undid the good work of a Labour government in 2010 and deepened a recession.
The Global Financial Crash of 2008 and the oil price hike in the 70t.s were force majeure.
The 4% reduction in GDP caused by Brexit was a Tory internal fight.
The irony of a Tory supporter blaming others for Tory decisions is not lost on people.