Labour anger at ‘reckless’ spending of taxpayers’ money

This was the view of Warwick district council’s Labour group when the authority debated its budget for the 12 months from April on February 22.

The Conservative-led council’s budget included a freeze on council tax until April 2013, £25 travel tokens for Shrewley residents and £14,000 towards Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Cllr Andrew Mobbs (Con, Kenilworth Park Hill), who is responsible for finance, said he was “very excited” about the budget, but Cllr Richard Edwards (Lab, Leamington Willes) said: “It’s time for a sobering analysis of the facts - facts of gambling recklessly with public money and missed opportunities.

“The budget has done nothing to address a time bomb - a shortfall amounting to £2.5 million by 2015.

“Based on the projects of the last two years, it will take 14 years to make the savings outlined. Decisions made by this executive mean this will spiral out of control.”

Speaking for the Liberal Democrats, Cllr Alan Boad (Leamington Crown), said: “We will not be opposing the budget. Obviously there are challenges ahead.

“I am disappointed that we are keeping the rates down in the rural areas. It’s unfair on the urban areas.

“The travel token scheme can be better spent on those with disability needs.

“I am not saying money should be taken away, but it should be targeted at those who need it. There do seem to be missed opportunities.”

Cllr Michael Coker (Con, Kenilworth Abbey) defended the council, saying: “We did not hear a single suggestion from Cllr Edwards on how we could save money.

“Would he have liked us to make dozens of people redundant as many local authorities have done?

“We have got challenges, but we have met them all so far and we plan to do so in the future.”

Council leader Cllr Michael Doody (Con, Radford Semele) said: “The reserves now are in a far healthier position than they were five years ago.

“We were astounded by what bad management there was before then. We now have pots of money that never existed.”

Cllr Mobbs said a report on how the council planned to address the shortfall was due in April. He said: “There was a time bomb of reckless spending in 2007. Thankfully, we took control of defusing that bomb. We have come up with a policy of sensible and shrewd financial management.”

Councillors then narrowly voted in favour of the proposed budget.