LOCAL Lib Dems have accused the controlling Labour group on debt-ridden Warrington Borough Council of an “unfair and unequal” budget process for elected members.
But Cllr. Denis Matthews, Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Investments, hit back, accusing the Lib Dems of using information to score “cheap political points,” adding, “If this is what the Liberal Democrat leadership see as meaningful opposition, it is no wonder many residents question what value they offer to the local democratic process.”
It comes as the Labour Group seek Government permission to increase Council Tax above the 5 per cent cap as well as additional funding, with a £90m funding gap over the next four years and debt of around £1.4 billion.
It follows on from the Liberal Democrat senior leadership team being invited to a meeting with the Government Envoys, Cllr Matthews, the Executive member responsible for Finance, and senior financial officers to discuss the forthcoming budget proposals for Warrington Council on a strictly confidential basis.
While Lib Dems say this was welcome, it became clear during the meeting that ALL FORTY LABOUR MEMBERS had already been informed of the detailed budget proposals, while Lib Dems and members from other parties had been excluded.
Lib Dem Leader Cllr. Mark Browne
Cllr. Mark Browne, Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition, said: “I was very disappointed both by the magnitude of some of the savings outlined and the confidentiality condition that we could not even share that information with our own Lib Dem Councillors until it is publicised. We have the unacceptable situation that the details of the budget have been shared with 40 members and 4 opposition members but the other 14 have been kept in the dark.”
Cllr. Helen Speed, Lib Dem Deputy Leader, added: “This process is unfair and undemocratic as it prevents elected Councillors from representing their members on an equal basis with Labour Party elected members. We strongly object to this unfair process.”
Cllr. Ian Marks, Shadow Portfolio member for Finance, concluded: “This lack of openness flies in the face of promises made that the administration would be open and transparent during these difficult times for the town. Last year, we complained that we had been kept in the dark until a very late stage, but the promise made then for much earlier consultation on the budget has not been kept. We collectively feel that every elected councillor should be treated equally and fairly.”
In response, Cllr Denis Matthews – Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Investments – responded: “I am deeply saddened by the comments of the Liberal Democrats. However, I cannot say that I am surprised.
“After the public release of last year’s budget, the Liberal Democrat leadership strongly requested that they be sighted on details of future budgets before publication so that they could play a more meaningful part in the process up to the meeting of full Council. It was agreed that this would be the position moving forward and every action taken by me, other Labour councillors, and officers has been to honour this commitment. Yet, it would appear, this has been in vain.
“The proposed budget that is to be publicly published on 6th February is a Labour Group budget. It is a legal responsibility of the Council, and thus the controlling Labour administration, to present and ultimately see agreed a budget each year. The official opposition, that being the Liberal Democrats, do have the power to propose an alternative budget that would still meet the Council’s legal duties.
“The information sighted, and agreed by Labour Group members, has been shared with the Liberal Democrat opposition confidentially in advance of the public release to facilitate their understanding and perhaps to enable them to work with officers to table an alternative budget, or make suggested amendments. A responsibility that opposition groups appear to have neglected in recent years.
“In my opinion, they seem to have simply used the information that they so fervently demanded to score cheap political points, playing with what are extremely significant issues for party political gain.
“If this is what the Liberal Democrat leadership see as meaningful opposition, it is no wonder many residents question what value they offer to the local democratic process.”
