Council budget/tax speech

Speech by Cllr Andrew Dakers, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group delivered to Hounslow Full Council on Tue 4th Mar 2008

The Lib Dem group tonight backed an alternative green and socially responsible budget based on a 0% council tax increase

Mr Mayor, fellow members of this council and members of the public in the gallery and online.

Tonight I think we may be witnessing a miracle.

After 35 years in a coma the Labour group has woken up.

They've seen the light. In fact they've seen a bright yellow light.

What is before you, and we are delighted to support, is in fact a LIB DEM budget.

(Any Labour members that wish to continue on this enlightened path can get a Lib Dem membership form from me after the meeting.)

On past form I am sure it wont take long for your party leadership to slip back into the coma.

Anyhow, enough jesting - let me outline the virtues of this budget and why we are glad to support it.

Given the huge budget pressures in local government we are supporting about £7million of savings which we commend the administration for bringing forward and the delivery of a 0% council tax increase - an aspiration our group has always supported. (Of course it is a sad reality that this will be wiped out my Brown and Darling's inept nationalisation of Northern Rock.)

The alternative budget we are supporting allocates £1m pounds is allocated to an Environment Fund on the basis outlined in a detailed, costed, Climate Change Fund paper I circulated to all group leaders a week or two ago. This is essential investment in the future of our planet, a subject we have discussed on several occasions in this chamber and the Lib Dem group have long advocated. Almost two years on from our full debate on establishing Hounslow as a beacon council for sustainable development (and Baron Stern of Brentford's report) it is a disgrace that it could be three years into this administration that an Energy Manager is in place with the resources to do Hounslow's bit to tackle climate change.

Now there has been some unusual creativity on the part the Labour group with the proposal to invest £0.5m on park rangers. Perhaps this is to make amends for decades of under investment in our parks? Its sticking plaster really - such is the mess the current administration inherits - but better late than never I suppose.

Recognising the increased stress on Council staff of changes in the current Performance Improvement Programme we are again endorsing the reinstatement of funding for counselling services.

School crossings and road safety training are essential to protect young people of the borough. Removal of funding and cost shunting onto schools are we believe ill advised in these areas.

Cut backs in the opening hours of SpaceWay I reiterate is the wrong signal to be sending out to our community at a time when it is essential that we help increase everyone's recycling.

Education. Now education is where the administration's budget perhaps goes most wrong. Cllr Lynch didn't seem to know what courses he was cutting when we last met. Well I now have the list and it makes grim reading. Due to staff consultation underway I will be keeping it confidential but it cuts across:

• The performing arts (mostly music) / arts, crafts and culture - do we not want to boost creativity in our borough?

• Exercise and fitness - is obesity not a major challenge?

• Cookery classes - are these not skills vital for healthy lifestyles?

• ICT - have the administration not read of the talent global talent challenge that faces our economy as we compete globally?

• Water skills - living on the Thames we are a waterside community? It seems plain weird not to support development of these skills in a community like ours.

• Languages - again vital if the people of our borough are to compete in the global marketplace

You may say registration is low for these courses. Well try upping the advertising. Don't cut the courses!

As Cllr Cadbury has stated the latest cuts in admin staff and speech and language therapy appear rushed and have not been adequately scrutinised.

Now we are not averse to listening carefully to the arguments as they unfold. Hence you will see a shift in our stance in three areas.

We previously abstained on the reorganisation of the hospital social work team. We are now convinced that whilst there is always room for optimising a team's organisation, this is a team that should be invested as it is overstretched and supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

We are also doing a u-turn (yes you heard it a u-turn!!) as the Labour group have finally clearly articulated their concerns. They have argued to our group that the poorest families not on benefits will suffer greater hardship from the increase in cost of school meals …and equally a similar restructure in the overstretched Housing Advice and Homeless Prevention Team - we are also now convinced is ill advised. Any savings should be immediately reinvested to boost the capacity of these teams.

Whilst we have always supported increased remuneration for councillors what we do not support are part time Exec members taking full time allowances. Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) should be taken on a pro rata basis so that Lead members get a living wage …a fair living wage.

Before I close can I thank the scrutiny team that have supported the engagement of all members in the budget process. Other officers have supported many groups in developing budget proposals. This is a vital aspect of our local democracy for which I think we are all grateful.

To conclude I am conscious that some may argue that this alternative budget is in some way illegal - well show me several legal opinions confirming that in writing and I will believe you!

Others might argue that this is based on unsound management of reserves.

It is neither. Having referred to the paper on "level of balances" that went to Budget and Performance Scrutiny Panel on 15 November 2007 I am confident that this alternative budget is compliant with past Audit Commission guidance.

So before you is a legal, 0% council tax increase, green and socially responsible budget based on sound management of reserves. It is therefore my pleasure to commend this budget to you.