Keynsham councillor hits out at budget proposals

A Keynsham Labour councillor has hit out at proposals  by Conservatives on B&NES to cut the social care budget.

 

The social care cuts, the loss of nearly 100 jobs and the axing of a young people’s participation project – just some of the outcomes of the Conservative administration’s budget for the forthcoming year.

 

Despite the proposal of some well thought out alternatives to the cuts from the Labour Group, the original budget was passed. Labour Councillors put forward two amendments at the Full Council meeting, one of which called for the 86 job cuts to be postponed for a year by using some of the Council’s £18 million reserves.

 

Labour's second amendment proposed restoring school transport for disabled young people, the schools democracy and participation project and half of the Supporting People cuts by not giving £100,000 to the Theatre Royal and reducing the funds allocated for developing links with China.

 

Cllr. Adrian Inker (Keynsham South) continued “The cuts to the Adult Social Services budget will have a negative impact on everyone using the service. From clients with low level needs right up to those with high dependency, people will find their support reduced, will have to pay more or in some cases, both. On the same night that the council pledged to make Independent Living one of its priorities, the Cabinet voted through cuts which will make it almost impossible to achieve. But words are easy; putting your money where your mouth is doesn't seem so easy for the Tory Cabinet”.

 

The proposal to postpone half of the job cuts in planning and transport gained substantial support from fellow opposition Councillors from the Liberal Democrat party and was only narrowly defeated. Postponing the cuts even for one year would have given some breathing space in which to monitor the effects of the economic upturn on the planning environment particularly, and allow more informed choices to be made in the future.

Cllr John Bull, Labour Group Leader (Paulton) said “We are extremely disappointed that the Tories saw fit to give unsolicited money to the Theatre Royal and set aside £50,000 for ‘twinning links’, which last year saw in senior officers and Councillors taking a trip to China with tax payers money, instead of enabling disabled young people from across the area to access the home to school transport they need. This budget will affect the most vulnerable BaNES residents, and demonstrates where the Conservative priorities really lie.”

Cllr Eleanor Jackson (Radstock) said "I am concerned that as the job cuts are unevenly distributed through Council departments, with planning, parks, and highways bearing the brunt, the quality of life in North East Somerset will deteriorate. It is particularly ironic when there is actually a surplus in the accounts because of the exceptionally high number of BaNES residents paying their council tax on time. We deserve better."