The Conservative Group proposed a 2.75% increase in the Council Tax for 2005/6 and every year up to 2008/9.  We suggested expenditure reductions in the base budget and reduced one-off payments totalling £169,960  This included allowance for proposed increases in expenditure for the CAB, Nantwich Museum, Alleygating, the North West Rail Campaign, Nantwich Civic Hall, Recycling and a Rural Initiative Fund.

 

The Capital Programme was reduced by £4.68 million by delaying or deleting capital projects.  In future we will insist on a full business case evaluation of major capital projects. 

 

Unfortunately our budget was not passed and Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent Councillors voted through an inflation busting budget.  They voted for a 5% increase for 2005/6 and with the intention of having the same increase for every year up to 2008/9.

 

Local residents just cannot afford to pay these huge increases in the Council Tax.  This year workers, pensioners and those on benefits can only expect, at best, their income to increase in line with inflation.  Council Tax increases at twice the rate of inflation, inevitably mean that local people see a higher and higher proportion of their income being eaten up by the Council Tax.  We simply can't go on milking residents in this way and making them progressively poorer.

 

 

We recognise that if we are to maintain Council Tax increases in line with inflation for the next four years, further expenditure reductions and extra income will be required.  These will be in addition to the 7.9% Gershon savings the Government have required Councils to make in the next three years.  We have identified the following areas of search:-

 

(a)               All posts should be examined when they become vacant.  If it is decided to fill a vacancy external advertisement should only be agreed to after internal transfer of existing staff has been fully explored.

 

(b)               Those services where costs are higher than the best local authorities, should be put out to tender.  Our aim will be to reduce costs whilst maintaining or improving services.

 

(c)               Surplus land, identified in the Open Space Review should be sold off.  The capital receipt should be invested to obtain extra revenue.

 

(d)               The Council's Capital Programme should be scaled down, which will result in an extra investment income.

 

(e)               Evening car park charges should be introduced to produce extra income.

 

(f)                 The Council's Management Structure should be reviewed.  Our aim to make it more accountable, more cost effective and more understandable to the public we serve.

 

(g)               An 8 week cycle for all meetings should be introduced (except Development Control and the Licensing Committee).

 

 

The Conservative Budget was credible, responsible and affordable.  We will continue to work to improve services and keep the Council Tax down.  Conservatives on Cheshire County Council have shown that low tax increases and excellent services are achievable.  If the electors of Crewe and Nantwich give us the chance, we can achieve the same level of cost effectiveness and excellence in the Borough.