Lib Dem Leader attacks Tory 'bureaucracy not services' budget

3.31.25am GMT Mon 28th Feb 2005

Lib Dem Leader Phil Harvey. "Tory budget is self-obsessed and unfair"

Liberal Democrats put forward a budget to Chelmsford Borough Council for lower council tax and better services. In contrast, the Conservatives proposed a Council Tax increase of 4% (above inflation) while ignoring young people and hitting motorists. Labour Councilors showed their commitment to local services by not even attending the meeting!

Lib Dem Leader Cllr Phil Harvey contrasted the Conservatives' 'bureaucracy not services' approach with that of the Liberal Democrats. Cllr Harvey said,

"The Conservatives have shown that they're more concerned with the internal workings of the Council than delivering services and responding to the recent MORI survey of residents. Our proposals responded to Chelmsford people's needs and priorities: better services, a greater commitment to the environment; and a lower council tax."

Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes (finance spokesman) put forward the detailed Lib Dem proposals:

• A Youth Development Officer.

• Higher maintenance budget for Riverside Ice and Leisure.

• Cut the Tory rise in car parking charges by £173,000.

• An extra £100,000 for pavement repairs.

• Four Community Support Officers.

• Built up the "Spectacular" fund by £25,000.

• A lower Council Tax rise 3% not the Tory 4% - the same figure as in the last budget of the previous Liberal Democrat administration.

Cllr Smith-Hughes said, "Under Liberal Democrats, improvement in services can, and do, take place - and all within reasonable rises in Council Tax levels. Council Tax is an unfair "stealth" tax but both Conservatives and Labour want to keep it. Only the Liberal Democrats want to replace it with a fair tax based on people's ability to pay. See www.axethetax.org.uk While it exists it is important to minimise rises and provide value for money.

Our proposals are similar to the ones made at the County Council budget meeting. Our proposals there for extra spending on youth services and pavement maintenance were NOT backed by Labour or the Conservatives."