LABOUR-controlled Warrington Borough Council approved a £140 million budget for the coming financial year – and pledged to introduce the “Living Wage” for all council employees by April next year.
Liberal Democrat and Conservative opposition groups put forward a number of suggestions but in general gave the budget a relatively easy ride.;
It was left to rebel former Labour councillor Kevin Bennett to launch a full-scale attack on his former colleagues – and to join with members of Unite the Union in a protest demonstration outside the Town Hall.
Labour’s Cllr Russ Bowden (right), lead member ofr corporate resources and assignments, presented the budget.
He said paying at least the Living Wage to all council employees would not only improve morale and productivity, but would also help the local economy because many of the lowest paid staff lived in Warrington and spent their money in the town, supporting local businesses and jobs.
But it was hoped that other businesses in the town would follow the council’s lead and make Warrington a “Living Wage town”.
Cllr Bowden said to balance the budget, the council had had to find £15.5 million of cuts, in addition to the £77 million already cut since April 2010.
He said: “This makes Warrington one of the lowest funded of the 91 unitary and metropolitan authorities (outside London) and the fourth lowest funded in the North West.”
Although inflation remained very low, to cope with the rising cost of care for Warrington’s growing older population and rising costs for Adult Social Care, it was agreed to increase Council Tax rates by 1.98 per cent. This equated to £23.41 for a Band D property.
Despite this increase, the Council Tax paid by the people of Warrington remained one of the lowest in the North West.
This would still offer opportunity for investment in the town’s economy, environment and services for residents.
Cllr Bowden added: “This budget is the first step in ensuring a sustainable future for the Council in the face of further austerity cuts.”
Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Ian Marks said: “We are pleased that Labour has continued the sensible approach to budgeting that we set up when the Labour Government first imposed savings on councils.
“Whatever the outcome of the general election, the need to make savings will be with us for many years. We agree with the principles of shifting funding to prevention and early intervention, working in a joined-up way with others and thinking differently about the way we deliver services. We did this when we led the council from 2006 to 2011.”
Cllr Marks expressed concern at the cuts to be imposed on the environment directorate.
“Services such as grass cutting and filling potholes are highly visible to the public. Potholes cost motorists because of wear and tear and damage to vehicles and deter inward investment into the borough.
“We urge the council to work harder to set up agreements with parish councils, volunteers and Friends’ groups and to seek partnerships with local businesses as a way of lessening the impact of these cuts.
“The council needs to do more to realise the large savings which are available by pooling budgets between different public sector bodies. Silos must be broken down and cultural barriers unblocked.”
Conservative leader Cllr Paul Kennedy said the budget had been prepared by officers and it was evident that much thought and work had gone into it.
“Achieving he budget will be demanding and I wish them good luck,” he said.
It was worth noting the council would have revenue expenditure of just over half a £ billion of which some £370 million would be spent by the Families and Wellbeing Directorate. Interestingly, in terms of income to fund that expenditure, only about £80 million came from Council Tax.
While the council collected about £100 million in business rates, they only retained £27 million of it.
“It seems to me that it would be better if we could become independent of central government financing but retain all of the business rates….true localism and a truly accountable local authority.”
The council had very substantial and ongoing capital expenditure plans many of which were quite modest in value. Most people would approved most of them.
“There are however a number that many people have considerable concerns with – the £3 million for the Warrington Youth Zone is certainly one.”
Cllr Kennedy referred to “very substantial loans to social landlords”.
He believed the council should look very closely at how the loan money was actually being spent.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that what we and our residents intend the money to be used for, is actually being used in that way.”
Cllr Kevin Bennett, who now sits on the council under the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition banner, said members of the public present at the meeting watched in horror as the Labour group passed a budget which included hundreds of thousands of £s of unspecified cuts.
He said they refused to explain how a £769,000 cut from environment services would effect bin collections, grass cutting or pot hole repairs.
He was concerned to see mention of a review of car parking services but no detail of how this would effect parking in Stockton Heath and Lymm. These communities could be bled dry because it was too expensive for people to park.
Top picture: Cllr Bennett and Unite members demonstrate outside the Town Hall.
