SURREY LIB DEMS SLAM TORY BUDGET

The County Council's budget for 2006/07, including a 5% increase in Council Tax, was passed by the Conservative majority at the Full Council meeting on 7 February.

The Tory budget included "savings" some of which are genuine efficiency savings and others which are cuts to frontline services.

Unusually this year there will be another budget-setting meeting of the County Council on 11 April 2006 to decide whether or not to agree with savings that would involve redundancies. These cuts are being consulted upon including closure of libraries and youth centres.

The Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council have welcomed:

1. The single figure increase in the Council Tax that is good news for pensioners and those on fixed incomes.

2. Support for more adults in need of social care.

3. Investment in recycling and improvements in the Civic Amenity sites.

But we oppose the Administration's flawed budget because its content neither reflects the wishes of Surrey residents nor tackles the Council's problems.

As usual, the Tory administration is whingeing about the Government and the lack of funding provided. However, we believe that the truth is that the administration has brought its financial problems upon itself. It is about time that the administration took responsibility for not acting sooner in carrying out a thorough financial review as we have requested repeatedly for several years.

Unfortunately the review carried out has failed to make savings where required and instead has proposed cuts in frontline services. This has happened because the consultants were told by the Executive to achieve CPA excellence for the County rather than do what Surrey residents actually want.

Many of the timescales for the savings are completely unrealistic and unachievable, which will reduce the level of savings obtainable next financial year. The officers have advised that many of the proposed savings are so high risk that they recommend setting aside several million pounds in case they are not achieved. This money would be better used to improve services and to pursue more realistic savings.

We have opposed the proposed cuts in frontline services including closing youth centres and libraries, cutting bus services and reducing funding for the voluntary sector.

At the last minute the Tory administration withdrew a proposed cut in funding for bus services, but we shall be seeking to ensure that funding is maintained.

Hazel Watson

Liberal Democrat Group Leader in Surrey County Council

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