March 2009 Focus

Your Council Tax Bill for Next Year: County Council UP 3%; Gedling UP 2.44%; Police UP 4.94%; Fire UP 3.5%, Overall, that's an increase of a little over 3%

At Gedling Borough on March 4th, the Tories passed their budget for 2009/10 with an increase in their Council Tax of 2.44%. They have 28 of the 50 votes and so this was always going to happen. Part of the Borough's problems are because the Tories were not "on the ball" and part because of wider problems. Normally the Tories dismiss alternatives with some contempt but this year they listened to the Opposition more carefully because they don't know what they may have to do next year.

The Background

The Government has kept its word over grant levels. In fact the Borough has recently received an extra £171,000 for this year. The extra summer bin collections cost £150,000. This policy is the Tory's star contribution (the Opposition think it's their only contribution). They have protected this policy despite cuts in many other places. The Opposition has always opposed this spending. Two years ago all three parties agreed to introduce car parking charges at 20p for the first hour and 50p for two hours in order to stop "parking and riding", often by people who don't live in the Borough. This scheme was intended to make more spaces available to shoppers. There were to be no charges in Netherfield.

The New Budget

Introduces car parking charges at 60p for the first hour and £1 for two hours (now the object is to raise money); half price in Netherfield. Staff cuts of £200,000 next year (it's already running at well over that rate); this will mean cuts in all sorts of services. Less cutting of grass verges. Closing Cemetery Lodge in Carlton in six months' time. No "entertainment" when the Christmas lights are switched on; some minor cuts. Both Opposition parties know that the Borough's financial position means that car parking charges have to be introduced. The LibDems proposed the same prices as two years ago. Labour proposed the same prices as the Tories but postponed for one year. Labour wanted to scrap a big redevelopment scheme in central Arnold but didn't seem to realise this meant losing the proposed new health centre. Both Opposition parties wanted to scrap the extra summer bin collections and opposed the closing of Cemetery Lodge (Carlton). When that goes, the Council will have no presence "the other side of the hill" (the Tories only have one ward in Carlton). The LibDems also wanted to cut out a lot of spending on councillors and entertainment: £30,000 paid to 6 Tory, 1 LibDem and 1 Labour councillor - the Tories refused. £12,000 for councillors to go to Germany (with a bigger saving to follow) - the Tories refused. £2,000 for hospitality, mainly drink - the Tories refused. The "goodies" remain untouched! £25,000 off spending on the mayor who will continue to ride round in a chauffeur-driven limousine-the Tories agreed to look at this next year. £40,000 off the cost of the Gedling Show and Arnold Carnival, with a lot more savings to come (total cost £155,000!), by getting it organised by voluntary groups - the Tories refused. We did persuade the Tories to vote for (and therefore pass) a freeze in councillor pay for this year (instead of a 2½% increase-the same as the staff). Labour voted against this.