Swansea Council's budget branded 'cynical and opportunist'
SWANSEA'S acting Conservative council leader has labelled the authority's budget as "cynical" and "opportunist."
But Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams did welcome the decision by the Lib Dem-led administration to freeze council tax for the 2012/2013 financial year.
Lib Dem Cabinet Member for Finance Stuart Rice was repeatedly asked by David Phillips, who leads the council's Labour group, as to why such a decision had been taken in a local government election year.
At the Swansea Civic Centre council meeting, Mr Hood- Williams said: "There are certainly aspects of this budget that the Conservative group welcome.
"However, you may recall last year I called it a miserable budget.
''This year I have no hesitation to call it a cynical and opportunist budget," he went on.
He was also heavily critical of the former Westminster Government for delivering "the biggest bust".
But he was pleased with the decision by the Lib Dems to keep the council tax rate at the same level for people living in Swansea.
"We do welcome the fact that there is no proposal to increase council tax," he added.
"We argued that council tax increases were much higher than they need to be."
The council element of council tax on a Band D property will remain at £990.91p in 2012/2013.
During the debate on the £337 million the authority expected to spend in the coming financial year on services, ranging from education, housing and waste disposal, Mr Rice claimed during the debate Labour group leader David Phillips had looked to increase council tax.
But Mr Phillips demanded to know where he was said to have made the comment.
Mr Rice said: "At the scrutiny board you suggested that we should put up the council tax by two per cent."
Labour members rejected the assertion and demanded an apology from Mr Rice.
Councillor Rob Stewart claimed that the budget was "a last-gasp attempt to divert away from investigations" of councillors.
Leader Chris Holley, deputy leader John Hague and acting Conservative group leader Paxton Hood-Williams were reported to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales for allegedly breaching the code of conduct.
It is claimed, the Evening Post understands, spending in certain Tory wards was offered in exchange for support of the administration.
elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk
More budget reports and reaction in tomorrow's Evening Post.
2 Comments
by seasolder
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 10:41PM
“How can one honestly trust these councilors, is this not just another con that within a couple of months these same people will be out asking us to vote for them. Think what has your ward councillor actually done to improve where you live, or in our once proud city. Remember we cannot go another 4 years, with cuts in education--school closures--and cuts in services.ect-ect”
by raywelsby
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 4:50PM
“Swansea council are acting on advice to councils in Wales to freeze council tax like England, but also recommended that any increase should not be above 2.5 % councillor Rice as done a "U" turn because he mentioned the figure of 2.5% increase in council tax with a 4.5% increase in council rents this wiuld have ment a 7% increase for council tenants. Come on counillor Rice you and your coalition should tell the people the truth this is yet again a ploy to make people think about voting for a lib/dem,independents@swansea and other independents serving on this coalition along with the conservatives who have brought an investigation into how this council is being run shame on you people, the people need to vote you lot out at the next election this city have had enough of you political groups bringing shame on this city of ours. All we have had over the last 12 years is shame first with labour and now with you lot.”