Barnet Liberal Democrats will be putting forward an alternative Budget at the Council Meeting tomorrow (2nd March) evening

.Cllr Jack Cohen Leader of Barnet Liberal Democrats describes the Lib Dem proposals as “realistic, affordable and deliverable”

The Liberal democrat Budget contains key proposals to stimulate the local economy, cut down on financial waste and improve the local environment.

Among the proposals are

1 Freezing Council Tax

2 Cutting Members Allowances by £96,000.00

3 Saving £300, 000, 00 by getting rid of top officer posts

4 Scrapping non essential customer relations and publicity thereby saving over 200,000.00.

5 Taking over half a million pounds from spare balances to pay for improved services

6 Re introducing Neighbourhood Wardens

7 More Money for Children’s Playgrounds

8 Improving our libraries

9 Restore cuts to winter maintenance budgets

The Liberal Democrat Budget will go even further though. It is proposed to Launch a new Civic Contingency Severe Weather Fund of half a million pounds. This will be used to help vulnerable residents if there is a repeat of this year’s winter weather. It will also be available to respond to power and water supply cuts that the Borough experienced earlier in the year.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling for a pilot scheme of one hour free parking to help boost our local shopping centres

The alternative budget also proposes to give Residents’ Forums their own budgets to spend on improving their local environment

There is also money set aside for adding names to our war memorials. This will ensure that we can record our gratitude to residents who gave their lives in the service of the country since the end of the Second World War

The Liberal Democrats will also be asking Officers work out  scheme whereby over 65s who pay full Council Tax will be eligible for a discount.

Cllr Cohen says that unlike the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats listen to our local residents. Cllr Cohen says “Our budget proposals echo what local people tell us they want from the Council.

Cllr Cohen accuses the Conservative Administration of hiding behind a cloak of secrecy. Describing the Conservative Budget as a “Trick or Treat Budget-all tricks and no treats” Councillor Cohen points out that the Conservatives are  trying to mask the true financial crises that faces the Borough, “ The reality is that because of blunders , incompetence and mismanagement Barnet Residents are paying a high price.” Cllr Cohen says that a Barnet resident will now pay much more in council tax than neighbouring Brent and Camden. Barnet Council Tax Payers face further cuts in services and increases in tax following the Icelandic Banks debacle. .The true cost of the Icelandic Bank fiasco could soar to 31million pounds The Conservative administration has left little room for manoeuvre but despite this we have come up with a budget that will work”

There are 54 staff in the CPG. There are 21 wards so that makes just over 2.5 staff per ward. The Safer neighbourhood team in High Barnet have 9 staff who could be enforcing these powers. When I asked how many of the CPG staff were street based the number goes down even further because the CPG staffing includes CCTV operators, admin and technical staff. This means that the Council has effectively no staff in High Barnet who are capable of enforcing these laws. Even if they did the Council does not possess the means to issue penalty tickets for these offences. In other words much of the minor but ant-social activities that take place in High Barnet are not in any way controlled. The police who have the resources are not allowed to because the council has reserved the powers for itself. This urgently needs review if we are to have any sanction against the small minority of people who act in an anti-social manner.

UPDATE

Well it was another 0-0 draw but it was a decent match.

http://www.barnet.gov.uk/index/council-democracy/consultations/playbuilder-consultation.htm