Green councillors have blasted the ‘short-sightedness’ of the other parties in blocking the referendum on a council tax rise to protect the future of local services, after a reconvened council meeting tonight passed a budget. (5th March).
Cross-party negotiations since the budget first fell last week resulted in a successful all-party amendment incorporating proposals which included setting aside funding for the Able & Willing social enterprise, third sector grants, Pride and children’s services.
Under government rules, if a council fails to set a lawful budget, the Secretary of State Eric Pickles MP is able to step in and implement undemocratic spending decisions about local services – including further cuts and outsourcing.
Green councillors chose to break the deadlock and facilitate a budget being set for the coming financial year by allowing the 1.99% budget to pass.
Councillor Jason Kitcat, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said:
“It became clear over the last week that Tory councillors were recklessly determined to block the budget-setting, which would have allowed Eric Pickles to come in and slash council services. We simply refused to let that happen. So we worked on what cross-party agreement could be found, held our noses, and did what was required to keep Pickles out. It was the responsible thing to do.
“Labour and the Tories have stuck their heads in the sand, ignoring the long-term threat from Westminster to local services. Labour’s support for the Tory tax freeze in 2012 and now their blocking of the 4.75% referendum means we will be almost £7 million worse off for the 2014/15 financial year. While the budget that was passed tonight offers some short-term help to some services, it is cold comfort against the backdrop of government austerity plans running until at least 2020.
Councillor Ruth Buckley, Green Group Women’s Champion said:
“As we’ve highlighted for years, austerity disproportionately affects women. The Government is turning its back on working families, with cuts to nursery places, child support and working tax credits. Three in five carers in Brighton & Hove are women, whose unpaid and undervalued contribution to society is growing as they are expected to pick up the tab from government cuts.”
Jason Kitcat concluded:
“Only the Green proposals promised long-term protection for services and jobs. We are deeply disappointed that these were blocked by the opposition. We will continue to do the best we possibly can to protect services, despite the extra cuts imposed by Labour and their refusal to let the people of Brighton & Hove decide.
“I call on all councillors, but especially Labour ones, to put aside their short-termist politicking to work with us to find a sustainable way to avoid the cliff-edge we face next year. We cannot let electioneering get in the way of doing best for our city. I renew my call to put our city first and politics second.”
Notes
For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670.