The alternative Liberal Democrat Budget Council speech
Mr Mayor, I rise tonight to second the amendment to the Administration’s Budget proposed by the Opposition Liberal Democrat Group. Local government continues to be butchered disproportionately - hit by the Conservative Government’s continued adherence to so-called austerity. The Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement announced in December did not bring us an early Christmas present; it simply represented yet more pain for us to absorb. The Liberal Democrat Group recognises that in our financial situation the Labour Administration has once more had to reduce overall spending whilst, regrettably, increasing Council Tax by a further 3.99%. Through necessity, we will support the rise to pay for improvements to adult social care and services. This is albeit reluctantly because we know that many residents in our Borough have not seen any increase in their…